A male half figure carved from hard wood and originally dyed black and brown. It has long arms and sits on a conical, offset plinth. It has been carved from one piece. Yanzi figures are rare and it is often difficult to distinguish their artistic style from that of their neighbouring tribes - the Hungana, Mbuun or Pindi. However, there are some typical Yanzi elements on the present sculpture: the relatively naturally formed head with a cap-like hairstyle, the elongated face with almond-shaped, outlined eyes as well the small, triangular nose above a small, open mouth and a pointed chin. Furthermore, the figure displays an accentuated collarbone and shoulder blades, as well as a deeply notched dorsal line.
This type of figure, known as ‘mbem’, had the same protective and guardian functions (against illness, witchcraft, theft etc.), as the Nkisi figures from other tribes in the Congo. The round, sealed cavities on the crown of the head and the abdomen are for ‘magic materials’, as well as the holes under both upper arms - through which a belt imbued with ‘magic materials’ would have been pulled through (it has now been lost). A shiny trace of this belt can be seen on the chest, above the slanting scarification marks on both sides.
Overall the slender, tall, half figure displays some small cracks (chest, neck and the back of the head) as well as a very old, encrusted patina with some smooth areas due to protracted use (on the head, forehead, nose, mouth, arms etc.). Height: 62 cm (with plinth); first half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
According to the consignor, this sculpture was originally collected from the region around the city of Kikwit in southwestern Congo; Giuliani Collection, Italy & Congo, Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.:
Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika' by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 215, '100 peoples of Zaire and their sculpture' by Marc L. Felix, p. 196, 197.