A Nkisi statuette, reputed to be a powerful and protective object, for personal use (as opposed to collective Mankisi statues), in a characteristically beautiful early classical style with a slightly concave sculpted face, identified by François Neyt as "the central style of the Kalebwe ya Ngongo", and having retained its original summit "fetish" horn and decorated with numerous tapestry nails on its head. See pp. 202-229 for this style in Songye, Neyt, 2004 Songye, Democratic Republic of Congo 19th century Wood, nails, beads and cords, antelope horns and other load-bearing elements, minor accidents and visible age cracks, partially re-cut under the base, very fine old patina. H. Height: 19.3 cm Provenance : Michèle Bavoillot and Charles Meur Collection, Brussels Monsieur V. Collection, Brussels