Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

  • Data
  • Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

King figure (ndop) made of carved ivory. Figure sits cross-legged on a square platform with a drum(?) in front. His eyes are closed, right hand placed on his knee, and he holds a ceremonial knife in his left hand. He wears a distinctive projecting hoe-shaped headdress with carved decoration around the edge and on the top surface. His regalia includes cane shoulder hoops, cloth plaque covering the buttocks, a wrapped belt that crosses over his abdomen, and a plaited belt. He also wears three bracelets, two arm rings and ear ornaments. The figure is mounted on a wood octagonal base.

History Of Use

The ndop is used as a surrogate when the king is absent from the capital. When the king dies, the new king must sleep with the ndop of the deceased king to absorb his ngesh (bush spirit). Afterwards, the ndop becomes a symbol of remembrance and is occasionally displayed, but is commonly kept by the king's widow. In ndop portraits, the king is usually shown full-bellied and breasted, with a large head and cowrie shell-shaped eyes. The hair is shaped in patterns worn by royals on important occasions, and the king's short sword is held in his left hand, as it was for major ceremonies. Other common distinctive characteristics are the circular neck ring, cane shoulder hoops (or hippopotamus teeth), cloth plaque covering the buttocks, and the forward-extending royal headdress. The ibol (king's individual and identifying symbol) would be attached to the pedestal of the ndop, at the base. The earliest Kuba ndop portrait dates to the beginning of the 18th century; believed to have been introduced by King Misha mi-Shyaang a-Mbul. Today, ndop are thought to represent Kuba pride and heritage, be an epitome of African sculpture, and are used as a symbol of tribalism.

Narrative

Collected by the donor in Kinshasa in 1941.

Iconographic Meaning

The cowrie shell-shaped eyes of ndop symbolize royal wealth.

Item History

With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account

With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account

Similar Items