Lot: 463

89th Tribal Art Auction

Standing female power figure "khosi"

D. R. Congo, Suku

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
F. J. Beinere
American Private Collection, New York (likely acquired before 1987)
Amyas Naegele, New York, USA
Cole Harrell, New York, USA (2017)
H: 13 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, plant fibre, base

A full "khosi" is often composed of a feminine and a masculine figure. The feminine statue is called "nzasi" ("lightning"). This reference to lightning emphasizes the violent and quick way the fetish strikes. The little packets attached to the figures are often filled with solidified resin, locally considered as "excrement of the lightning".


Felix, Marc Leo, Ritual Figures in Congo, Hong Kong 2018, p. 174