FETISHES (Miscellaneous)


Most of our groups of fetish figures and objects have their own catalogs and can be found at Fetishes.html


NAGU
Power Figure 1
6" high
$1000

HEMBA STYLE
Fetish 2
9.5" high
$400 

DAN STYLE
Fetish 1
16.5" high
$400

 

BATEKE STYLE
Fetish
Figures 1
 

 

EWE STYLE
Fetish
Figures 1

 

MITSOGO STYLE
Fetish 1
$800 

BAKONGO STYLE
Head Fetish 1
$800 

The fetishes below have been sold and are left here for educational and research purposes.

 

BAMANA STYLE
Fetish 1
33" high
SOLD

 

UNKNOWN STYLE
Fetish 5
22" high
SOLD



ASANTE STYLE
Fetish 1
25.25" high
SOLD


AGNI
Fetish 1
SOLD

URHOBO STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

MUMUYE STYLE
Fetish 2
SOLD
 

 

BWITTI STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

 

IGBO STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

 

LUBA? STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

DOGON? STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

LEGA STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

SUKUMA STYLE
Fetish 3
SOLD

BOBO STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

 

UNKNOWN
STYLE  Fetish 4
SOLD 

 

YOMBE STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

DAN
Fetish 2
SOLD

KUOSSI STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

BAKONGO STYLE
Dog Fetish 15
SOLD
 

 

UNKNOWN STYLE
Fetish 2
SOLD

 BENIN STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

MUMUYE
Fetish 1
SOLD

BAMANA STYLE
Boli
ARCHIVES (SOLD)

 IJO STYLE
Fetish Panel 1
SOLD

CHOKWE STYLE
Fetish 1
SOLD

HEMBA STYLE
Fetish Bowl 1
6" high
SOLD

UNKNOWN STYLE
Fetish 6
22" high
SOLD

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

A fetish is a statue or object with magical power, like an amulet, talisman or good luck charm. In traditional, tribal Africa, especially in Zaire, these beliefs are manifested in some of the most expressive and magical power figures ever created. This exhibit brings together the relics of many peoples, all used for specific functions, usually to conjure away evil spirits or attempt to control one's destiny.

Common to many tribes was the belief that the fetishes acquired power through the ritualistic carving and consecration, the addition of special substances and the recurring activation of its spirit by offering sacrifices and magic words. Some fetishes have the heads or stomachs hollowed out to hold special substances; some have mirrors to reflect back evil or to blind hostile spirits; some are Janus-figures for better vigilance and protection. Among the materials added to the wood figures are horns, shells, nails, feathers, mirrors, metal, twine, paint, cloth, raffia, fur, beads and herbs; anything thought to add power or magic.

In addition to the many groups of well-known fetishes in our exhibition we have some that are less well known or unidentifiable ( Suggestions regarding identification are welcome).

Authentic fetishes are very rare. Despite their appearance, most of these fetishes show no evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

If you are looking for a particular tribe or object please check our Indexes by Tribe, by Object or by Material.

GO TO FETISH! EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN FETISHES PAGE

GO TO FETISHES (VARIOUS TRIBES) PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN ANIMALS PAGE

GO TO ARTIFACTS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN FIGURES PAGE

GO TO MASKS AND HEADS PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

HOMEPAGE

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TRIBE

 Index by
OBJECT

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