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Objects from the exhibition Kongo: Power and Majesty

Explores Central Africa's Kongo civilization's history and culture through 146 of the most inspired creations of Kongo masters from the late fifteenth through the early twentieth century.

Staff : Finial with Kneeling Female Figure, Master of Kasadi Workshop, Wood, iron, metal strips, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of Kasadi Workshop
19th–early 20th century
Pendant: Saint Anthony of Padua, Partially hollow cast brass, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–19th century
Prestige Staff: Saint Anthony of Padua, Brass, wood, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century
Christ, Open-back cast brass, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
18th–19th century
Crucifix, Kongo artist, Solid cast brass, Kongo
Kongo artist
16th–17th century
Crucifix, Solid cast brass (Christ), solid cast copper alloy (halo); hollow cast bronze (three end pieces), brass sheet (one end piece), solid cast copper alloy (Mary); forged copper and brass (nails), wood, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–17th century with later additions
Christ, Brass, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
18th–19th century
Christ, Solid cast brass with holes for nailing, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
18th–19th century
Cross with Saint Anthony of Padua, Kongo artist, Solid cast brass, lead-tin alloy sheet, wood, fiber, Kongo
Kongo artist
16th–18th century (pendant figure); 19th century (cross)
Triple Crucifix, Kongo artist, Open-back cast brass (central figure), solid cast brass (top and bottom figures), forged iron nails, brass, copper, wood, ultramarine pigment, Kongo
Kongo artist
16th–17th century (central figure); 18th–19th century (top and bottom figures)
Mangaaka Power Figure (Nkisi N’Kondi), Kongo artist and nganga, Yombe group, Wood, iron, resin, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo
Kongo artist and nganga, Yombe group
Second half of the 19th century
Tusk with figurative relief, Kongo artist, Ivory, Kongo, Vili group
Kongo artist
ca. 1880–1890
Tusk with Figurative Relief, Kongo artist, Ivory, Kongo, Vili group
Kongo artist
ca. 1880–1890
Figure: Seated Female Supporting Figure, Wood, metal, brass tacks, glass, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Prestige Cap (Mpu Ntando?), Raffia or pineapple fiber, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried ca.1875
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1904
Prestige Cap (Mpu), Raffia or pineapple fiber, leopard claws, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1903
Basket, Fiber, wood, pigment, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1897
Garment (Nkutu), Pineapple fiber (Ananas sativus Schult.), sedge fiber (Cyperus rotundus Linn.), pigment, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1897
Horn (Pungi), Wood, ivory, vegetable fiber, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1897
Double Bell with Crest (Kunda), Wood, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1897
Figure: Seated Female with Child, Wood (Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.), plant  fiber, glass, leopard claw, kaolin, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th – early 20th century; inventoried 1916
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th–18th century, inventoried 1737
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th–18th century, inventoried 1737
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th–18th century, inventoried 1737
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th–18th century, inventoried 1737
Prestige Cap (Mpu), Raffia or pineapple fiber, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–17th century, inventoried 1674
Luxury Cloth, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–17th century, inventoried 1666
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th –18th century, inventoried 1737
Dom Miguel de Castro, Emissary of Soyo, Jaspar Beckx  Dutch, Oil on panel, Dutch
Jaspar Beckx
ca. 1640–1647
Portrait of Diego Bemba, Servant of Don Miguel de Castro, Emissary of Soyo, Jaspar Beckx  Dutch, Oil on panel, Dutch
Jaspar Beckx
1640–47
Ancestral Shrine Figure: Kneeling Female with Vessel and Seated Figure, Wood, pigment, glass, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th–early 20th century
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood (Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.), iron, resin, cowrie shell, animal hide and hair, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century
Staff Finial:Kneeling Female Figure With Turned Head, Master of Makaya-Vista, Ivory, Kongo peoples; Woyo group
Master of Makaya-Vista
19th–early 20th century, inventoried 1936
Vessel Fragment, Ceramic, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
Ca. 610±30 - 700±30 (late Iron Age)
Vessel Fragment, Ceramic, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
Ca. 1530-50 (late Iron Age)
Vessel Fragment, Ceramic, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
Ca. 1140
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood (Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.), iron, resin, cowrie shell, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1909
Oliphant, Ivory, metal (gilt silver?), fiber, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th century, inventoried 1843
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th–18th century, inventory 1854
Prestige Cap (Mpu), Raffia or pineapple fiber, leopard claws, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
17th–18th century, inventoried 1796
Oliphant, Ivory, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
16th century, inventoried 1553
Mask, Wood, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th–early 20th century
Figure: Kneeling Female Holding Vessel with Seated Male and Dog, Wood, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th–early 20th century, inventoried 1928
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, mirrored glass, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century
Power Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child (Nkisi), Master of the Boma-Vonde Region, Wood, metal, kaolin, glass, resin, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of the Boma-Vonde Region
19th–early 20th century
Mask, Wood, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th–early 20th century
Staff: Finial with Female Figure and Child, Ivory, metal, wood, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Power Figure: Standing Female Figure with Child (Wife of Mabyaala?) (Nkisi), Wood, beads, glass, fiber, copper, resin, Kongo peoples; Vili group
Kongo peoples; Vili group
19th century, inventoried 1885
Power Figure: Kneeling Female with Serpents and Secondary Figures (Nkisi), Wood, mirrored glass, resin, pigment, Kongo peoples; Vili group
Kongo peoples; Vili group
19th century, inventoried 1885
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, cowrie shell, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1909
Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child, Wood, pigments, metal, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Power Figure: Standing Male with Raised Arm (Nkisi), Master of Kasadi Workshop, Wood, metal, mirrored glass, resin, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of Kasadi Workshop
19th–early 20th century
Livro da Nobreza e da Perfeição das Armas dos Reis Cristãos e Nobres Linhagens dos Reinos e Senhorios de Portugal (Book of Nobility and of the Perfection of the Coat of Arms of the Christian Kings and Noble Lineages of the Kingdoms and Landlords of Portugal), António Godinho  Portuguese, Pigment and gold on parchment, Portuguese
António Godinho
ca.1521–41
Afonso I of the Kongo to Manuel I of Portugal Requesting Religious Paraphernalia
Kongo Kingdom, June 8, 1517, Ink on paper, Kongo Kingdom
Kongo Kingdom
June 8, 1517
Alvaro III of Kongo to Philip III of Portugal Establishing Mutually Beneficial Relations Between the Two Countries and Explaining Kongo’s Deteriorating Relationship with the Province of Soyo
, Ink on paper, 2 folios, Kongo Kingdom
Kongo Kingdom
October 24,1615
Afonso I of the Kongo to Manuel I of Portugal regarding the Burning of “The Great House of Idols”
, Ink on paper, 10 folios, Kongo Kingdom
Kongo Kingdom
October 5, 1514
Oliphant, Ivory, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th century
Prestige Cap (Mpu), Raffia or pineapple fiber, leopard claws, bone, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century
Prestige Cap (Mpu), Raffia or pineapple fiber, leopard claws, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century
Prestige Staff of Henrique III, Wood, metal, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Ca.1842–1857
Padrão de Santo Agostinho (Standard of Saint Augustine), Limestone, Portugal
Portugal
ca. 1482
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1900
D. Antonius Emanuel Marchio de Wnth Orator Regis Gongi ad Summu[m] Pont, Giovanni Antonio de Paoli  Italian, Etching on paper, Italian
Giovanni Antonio de Paoli
Raffaello Schiaminossi
1608
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–17th century, inventoried 1674
Garment (Nkutu), Raffia, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1853
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, cowrie shell, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, gourd, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1904
Figure: Seated Female Supporting Figure Clasping Her Breast, Master of Kasadi, Wood, glass, kaolin, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of Kasadi
19th–early 20th century
Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child, Master of the Boma-Vonde Region, Wood, kaolin, glass, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of the Boma-Vonde Region
19th–early 20th century
Staff Finial: Seated Figure, "Master of Concentric Circles", Ivory, metal, Kongo peoples
"Master of Concentric Circles"
19th–early 20th century
Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure, Ivory, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th –early 20th century
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Kozo), Wood, iron, plant fiber, textile, glass, resin, feathers, leopard tooth, leather, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1898
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, cowrie shell, animal hide and hair, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1898
Power Figure: Seated Male (Nkisi), Wood, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried ca.1875
Ancestral Shrine Figure: Kneeling Female with Vessel and Seated Figure, Wood, glass, black paint, kaolin, Kongo peoples, Yombe group
Kongo peoples, Yombe group
19th–early 20th century
Ceremonial Bell with Face, Wood, mirror, resin, fiber, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Ceremonial Bell with Bird, Wood, metal, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child, Wood, glass, metal, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th–early 20th century, inventoried 1924
Staff Finial: Kneeling Female Figure, Master of Makaya-Vista, Ivory, Kongo peoples; Woyo group
Master of Makaya-Vista
19th–early 20th century
Staff Finial: Seated Figure, Ivory, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th - early 20th century
Knife Handle: Standing Female Captive, Ivory, metal, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Staff Finial: Male Grasping Bottle, Ivory, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Kozo), Wood, metal, resin, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century
Figure: Seated Male, Wood, metal, ivory, glass, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th–early 20th century
Mbanza Kongo (São Salvador)
Engraving from O[lfert] Dapper, Naukeurige Beschrijvinge (Amsterdam), pp. 562–63
, Olfert Dapper  Dutch, printed paper with 20th century cloth binding, Dutch
Olfert Dapper
Jacob van Meurs
1668
Staff Finial: Female Figure with Child, Ivory, metal, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th–early 20th century
Staff Finial: Kneeling Female with Clasped Hands, Ivory, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, documented ca.1891
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, pigment, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–17th century, inventoried 1883
Ceremonial Drum with Male Figure Holding Figurative Superstructure Seated on Elephant, Wood, pigment, hide, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
19th century, inventoried 1884
Staff Finial: Ngoyo Queen Giving Birth and Holding Child, Ivory, Kongo people; Woyo group
Kongo people; Woyo group
19th–early 20th century, inventoried 1930
Lemba Staff: Finial with Female Figure Nursing Child, Master of the Boma-Vonde Region, Wood, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of the Boma-Vonde Region
19th–early 20th century
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, ceramic, plant fiber, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1935
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
16th–17th century, inventoried 1607
Luxury Cloth, Raffia, pigments, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
17th–18th century, inventoried 1709
Luxury Cloth, Raffia, pigments, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
17th–18th century, inventoried 1709
Luxury Cloth: Cushion Cover, Raffia, Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
17th–18th century, inventoried 1876
Prestige Cap (Mpu), Raffia or pineapple fiber, Kongo peoples
Kongo peoples
17th–18th century, inventoried 1876
Oliphant, Ivory, Kongo peoples, Kongo Kingdom
Kongo peoples, Kongo Kingdom
16th century, inventoried 1887
Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child, Master of the Boma-Vonde Region, Wood, kaolin, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Master of the Boma-Vonde Region
19th–early 20th century, inventoried 1913
Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka), Wood, iron, resin, cowrie shell, animal hide and hair (monkey?), ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment, Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Kongo peoples; Yombe group
19th century, inventoried 1906
Showing 100 of 146