Lot: 378

87e vente aux enchères Tribal Art

Sculpture fétiche tête janus "kalunga"

R. D. Congo, Bembe

Provenance Taille Prix d’appel / Prix d'Estimation
H: 24,5 cm Cet objet n’est plus disponible.

wood, brown patina, red and white pigment, two nearly identical carved mask faces with large oval deepened eye-sockets, min. dam., cracks, small missing parts (base), traces of abrasion.
This sculpture represents "kalunga", an aquatic spirit. In order to counteract misfortunes inflicted on people by this spirit, the diviner prescribes the manufacture of this figurine, and the blood of sacrificially killed chickens spilled on it.


Biebuyck, Daniel P., Statuary from the pre-Bembe hunters, Tervuren 1981, p.152