Kongo-Vili Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo

inventory number painted in red on the back of the plinth: "CMS324".

Max and Betty Stanley, Muscatine, Iowa, by 1979
Michael Oliver, New York (inv. no. "G031"), acquired from the above in 1981
Allan Stone, New York, acquired from the above on February 25, 1981

University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, African Sculpture: the Stanley Collection, April 21 - September 9, 1979
The Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Connecticut, Power Incarnate: Allan Stone's Collection of Sculpture from the Congo, May 14 - September 4, 2011

Christopher D. Roy, African Sculpture: the Stanley Collection, Iowa City, 1979, p. 153, cat. 140
Kevin D. Dumouchelle, Power Incarnate: Allan Stone's Collection of Sculpture from the Congo, Greenwich, Connecticut, 2011, p. 35, cat. 11
No author, "Power Incarnate: Allan Stone's Collection of Sculpture from the Congo," Tribal Art Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 5, May 2011, p. 4, fig. 1
Jonathan Fogel, "Power Sculpture from the Congo", Tribal Arts Magazine, No. 60, Summer 2011, p. 39

Good condition for an object of this type, age, and materials. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, and small chips. Bundle atop the head is slightly loose. Age cracks including one through the proper left side of the face through the eye, one to the back of the integrally-carved plinth terminating between the heels, and a wedge-shaped loss to proper left side of the integrally-carved plinth through proper left foot. Bamboo shafts in bundle under proper right arms are cracked. Patch of mud (remains of wasp's nest) on proper left side of central charge. Pigment inside proper right eye with loss. Mirror tarnished. Fine aged light brown patina with red-orange and black paint on the face. Fabric elements aged and fragile, with small holes, fraying, and tears. Remains of insect casings atop the head. Stanley inventory number painted in red on back edge of plinth: "CMS 324"
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

According to MacGaffey (2012: 27-28), the "nkisi-object was basically a container for animal vegetable, and mineral materials known as 'medicines' (milongo or bilongo) that expressed by their names, forms or provenance the aims that the nkisi was expected to achieve and the powers that enabled it to do so." In the case of the present lot, the attached clay balls are filled with gun powder which the nkisi can shoot at malevolent forces through the bamboo barrels.

The Stone figure is of a highly refined style. A closely related work was given in 1892 to the Laboratoire d'Ethnologie, Musée de l'Homme, Paris and is today part of the collection of the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (inv. no. "71.1892.62.12", published in Lehuard 1980: 176, fig. 96).