Wood Nail Fetish

A face on the chest, held there by two hands, looks almost as calm as the face above.

This nail fetish is wood and glass. Nail figures are generally linked with the Kongo peoples of Central Africa, where driving metal into a figure was often understood to seal a vow or activate its protective force. A broad white band crosses the eyes of the upper face, and the open mouth shows carved teeth. Iron blades crowd the neck and shoulders. The figure grips a smaller carved face against its belly, and stands with bent knees on a squared base. It is 19 inches wide and 57 high.

Two faces, and neither of them giving anything away.