A nkisi statuette in a beautiful classical ancient style from the Yombe group, in a characteristic forward-leaning position called metanana, "standing forward ready to fight." Evidence of a time when teeth were still carved and filed as a sign of belonging, and here finely sculpted, the base is also decorated and chiseled, as are the eyebrows and ankles, as well as the hairstyle, all evidence of archaism. This protective statuette would have carried a "magical charge" bilongo at the front, which has now disappeared. It is therefore in a forward-leaning position (yinama) implying dance and a back-and-forth dance movement (yekuka) evoking the past (the departed ancestors) and the future, the balance between the two being clairvoyance. See: Le Geste Kongo, p. 124, Dapper, 2002 Kongo (Yombe group), Democratic Republic of Congo 19th century Wood, glass, resin residue, beautiful and ancient blond patina from use and polishing. H.: 22 cm Provenance: Private collection, acquired in Congo in 1914 Collection of Mr. V., Brussels, acquired in the 1960s from an architect friend