Songye Power Figure (Nkisi) stamp A magnificent and extremely rare

A magnificent and extremely rare earthenware vessel from the late Mesolithic or early Neolithic period

making this pot both a functional object and a cultural artifact

Great care was taken to guide these spirits—mogat—so they would not linger and bring misfortune

acted as ceremonial transfers of value

An finely cast leaded-bronze arm ring from the Ban Chiang culture of prehistoric Northeast Thailand or Laos

Songye Power Figure (Nkisi) stamp A magnificent and extremely rareSongye people, early to mid 20th century, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa Magnificent and imposing standing Songye power figure (nkisi), the collaborative creation of a master sculptor and a trained ritual specialist. Expertly carved from a single piece of dense brown wood, the surface is deeply dyed and enriched with sacred materials (bishimba) composed of seeds, horns, fiber, and hidesubstances believed to activate and house