KONGO, D. R. CONGO Crucifix "Nkangi Kiditu" entirely in brass, cast with lost wax (category representing 1/4 of the narrow corpus). Christ bears no stigmata and is accompanied by two orants on the branches of the cross and three orants on the the bottom. These crucifixes can be seen as a symbolic representation of power. These regalias, used during rituals such as the enthronement of kings, fertility or death rituals, evoke the authority of the chief and the deference of his subjects. Although the first crucifixes appeared as early as the 16th century (Bibliography Julien Volper, 2011) we can date this crucifix by its style and the quality of the cast iron to the 19th century. Height: 24 cm Width: 12.5 cm