Figure (nkishi), late 1800s-early 1900s. Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luba-style maker. Wood, organic materials (including resin and soil), plant fiber, and glass beads; overall: 22.4 x 10.7 x 12.4 cm (8 13/16 x 4 3/16 x 4 7/8 in.). The substances contained in its cloth-covered cranial cavity indicate that this half-figure belongs to the broad category of charms or "power objects" that the Luba call mankishi. It was used by a ritual expert and functioned in a variety of rituals dealing with healing, protection, divination, or jurisdiction. Often such power figures were carved by the ritual experts rather than by professional artists.