Male power figure "phuungu" · D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3032251
Eduard Hess, Oberwil, Switzerland
Description
wood, reddish brown patina, string with nut shells and small wooden sculptures, mass remains on the back and the belly proving that the body was originally provided with much more magical substances, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks, base;
a “phuungu” is owned by the head of a patrilineal kin group and may pass from father to son. Its primary function is to protect against witches and other enemies and for this purpose it is often positioned on the wall near the roof supports in the interior of a dwelling.
The object Male power figure “phuungu” with the object ID 3032251 was last part of the auction 75th tribal art auction at November 30, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 139 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,200.
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Comparing literature
Bourgeois, Arthur P., Art of the Yaka and Suku, Paris 1984, p. 110