A Central African Congo mixed media nail figure. This figure is known as a Niski figure. Niski is the name given by Kongo peoples and other ethnic groups living in the Democratic Republic of Congo to extremely powerful collections of materials that are contained in receptacles known as futu. The niski is used by pounding metal objects into the figures wooden surface to direct the spirit toward a specific aim: to protect, heal or destroy. Provenance: from the private collection, New Jersey. Central African Figures, Figurines, Statues, Ethnic And Tribal Art Collectibles.