Huge Rare Antique African Bakongo Nkisi Nkondi Statue Nail Fetish Congo, Africa

Description

This is a very huge, museum quality, antique, African, Bakongo, male figure, nail fetish statue which was collected from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. African Bakongo nail fetishes are protective statues or figures used by individual
Bakongo tribal members, Bakongo families, or shared and used by the entire Bakongo village community when they are located communally. Bakongo nail fetishes were carved by the village woodcarvers and then the statutes were believed to have their powers activated by the hammering in of the nails and or other sharp metal objects which was normally done by the tribal shaman medicine man. These powerful fetishes were kept outside the housing compound to guard the owner and the owner's family from evil spirits, illness or bad intentions including the evil eye, witchcraft or magic. Nail fetish statues were normally made in the form of a male ancestor or a dog because these figures have the strong ability to protect, search out perpetrators and are ever faithful to their owner. Also, these nail fetish statues were used to swear oaths on or to finalize contracts as it was believed the power of the statute's spirit would watch over the transactions. Often a small cavity is present on the statue that contains power ingredients such as roots, herbs or other objects which is covered by a piece of glass or mirror - this is often called the power spot.
This nail fetish specimen is very, very old and once was used to protect an entire village and has three faces
. This African nail fetish statue has one magic power box sealed with two small glass covers. This large African fetish is decorated / activated with many nails and miscellaneous metal pieces. This fetish statue is huge and measures 64 inches tall by 20 inches wide and has a depth of 12 inches.This specimen is in good although highly worn and used condition with a lot of wear to the faces and a repair to the base.
Please note that this African statue is not only very large but is heavy and would need to be crated professionally therefore it would be very expensive to ship. Seriously interested collectors may contact me through ebay message system for a shipping quote. I also offer professional in person delivery to some locations and cost would depend on distance. I am also open to local pick up if a collector would want to arrange with me to pick up this antique statue themselves.