Lot: 481

84th Tribal Art Auction

Small power figure "phuungu"

D. R. Congo, Yaka

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Cecile Kerner, Brussels, Belgium H: 6.9 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, dark brown patina, pigment remains, remains of mass in the breast area, drilled hole in both ears, slightly dam. (backside), base;
such figures are used as receptacles or supports for magical preparations. When they are charged with magical ingredients, the image becomes a particular type of fetish, the medicine-poison that "make ill" - "kukwata" or "make well" - "kubuka" by an invisible influence.