Ndop are ‘portrait sculptures’ of the nyim (rulers) of the Kuba kingdom. They were made after the death of the ruler that they represent. In the first instance, they were used during rites around the funeral and succession of the deceased and had to calm his mween (spirit). After these ceremonies, they mainly served as a memorial.

The ndop shown here represents Kot-a-Ntshey, an 18th-century Kuba king. The statue was probably made between 1760 and 1780.