171. Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul. Kuba peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. 1760–1780 C.E. Wood.

• Form
  • Characteristics of a ndop
    • Cross-legged pose
    • Sits on a base
    • Epicene body
    • Face seems uninvolved, about mortal affairs
    • A peace knife in his left hand
• Function
  • Ndop sculptures are commemorative portraits of Kuba rulers, presented in a ideal state
  • Not an actual representation of a deceased king but of his spirit
  • Made after the death of the king
• Context
  • Each king is commemorated by symbols on the base of the figure; this king has a sword in his left hand in a nonaggressive pose, handle facing out
  • One of the earliest existing African wood sculptures; oldest ndop existence
  • Rubbed with oil to protect it from insects
  • Acted as a surrogate for the king in his absence
  • Kept in the kingś shrine with other works called a set of “royal charms”