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Crucifix

16th–17th century with later additions
Not on view
At its height in the fifteenth century, the Kongo kingdom was one of the largest in all of sub-Saharan Africa, spanning 115,000 square miles. Centered on an extremely strong monarchy, the elaborate social structure was pervasive across a complex system of trade and interchange between the forest of the north and the coast and savannah plains to the south.

In 1491, the Kongo king Nzinga converted to Christianity, thereby strengthening ties with his counterpart in Portugal. The adoption of Christianity allowed the kings of Kongo to participate in an international community of leaders beyond Portugal that included the Vatican. The Kongo kings found that local religious beliefs had significant parallels with Christianity and so they were easily able to synthesize the two. They did not feel that they had renounced one for the other.

The cross, a primary emblem of Christian ritual, was also a fundamental motif at the core of Kongo belief systems. The Kongo icon, called the Four Moments of the Sun, is a circle around a Roman cross. It depicts the four divisions of the day—dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight—which represents the cyclical journey of a human life from birth to the afterlife of the ancestors.

Fifteenth-century Kongo Christian artifacts such as this one are closely modeled on European prototypes. They were usually cast in an open mold using metal obtained from brass units of currency known as manillas, imported from Europe. In this work, Christ's hair and beard are distinctly European. The facial expression is anguished, with closed eyes, an open mouth, and a furrowed brow. The modeling of the figure is naturalistic and the proportions relate to European sculpture. Additionally, he is depicted with a fiery halo. All of these elements are clearly retentions of European models.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Crucifix
  • Date: 16th–17th century with later additions
  • Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Republic of the Congo; Angola
  • Culture: Kongo peoples; Kongo Kingdom
  • Medium: 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
  • Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm), W. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm), D. 3/4 in. (1.8 cm)
  • Classification: Metal-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Ernst Anspach, 1999
  • Object Number: 1999.295.8
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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Nkisi (power figure), Kongo artist and nganga, Wood, pigment, resin, iron, brass, tin, cloth, plant fiber cord, beads, cowrie shells, bone or ivory, arrows, leather, seeds, animal horn, Kongo
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Lupona (royal seat), Ngongo ya Chintu, formerly known as the "Buli Master" (ca. 1810-1870, Kateba region, Democratic Republic of the Congo) Democratic Republic of Congo, Wood, metal studs
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Ngongo ya Chintu, formerly known as the "Buli Master" (ca. 1810-1870, Kateba region, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
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Crucifix, Kongo artist, Solid cast brass, Kongo
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Crucifix with Saint Anthony of Padua, Kongo artist, Brass, wood, lead-tin alloy sheet, plant fiber cord, Kongo
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