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Crucifix
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
An artist made this crucifix from wood and metal centuries after Catholicism became the Kongo Kingdom’s official faith. Following King Nzinga a Nkuwu's 1491 decision to convert, Kongo Christianity uniquely reflected its surroundings. While early Christ images arrived from Portugal and Italy, this later local example has braids like a Kongo man. Worn smooth by repeated touch, the lower figure is the Virgin Mary or a worshiper knelt in mourning or respect. The x-shape incised into his waist wrapper references the dikenga dia Kongo . This likely pre-Christian symbol diagrams the life cycle's four points.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineCrucifix, late 1800s-early 1900s. Africa, Central Africa, Kongo Kingdom, Kongo-style maker(s). Copper alloy, wood, upholstery studs, and iron alloy; overall: 44.7 x 22.2 x 3.2 cm (17 5/8 x 8 3/4 x 1 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund, 2010.444
