Tabwa Wood Fetish Figure

Seven inches tall. It is a mistake to ask what it holds.

Power figures like this one, carved in wood in the Republic of Congo in the 20th century, were made to hold protective substances and were consulted by specialists for individuals and communities. He stands on a round base with bent knees, arms close along the body. The head is broad and flat-topped, with narrow slit eyes, a small nose and pursed lips. A small projection sits at the center of the chest. White pigment clings to the face, neck and chest, against reddish-brown wood worn smooth and cracked in small places.

Keep it where you can see it. It will keep an eye on you.