Power figure ·  D. R. Congo, Luba · ID: 3033633

Description

light brown wood, reddish brown patina, black paint remains, conical corpus, carved with four anthropomorphic faces, crowned by a big package containing magical substances, animal skin, strings of glass- and wooden beads, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage and abrasion, minor missing parts, on wooden base;
such objects are associated with the all-seeing and all-hearing “bavidye” spirits. They advised against the consequences of ill-will and misbehaviour, and with their help justice was dispensed and peace (re)established. The many heads signal heightened powers of vision and clairvoyance, and the ability of the diviner to see in all directions.

Comparing literature

Neyt, Francois, Luba, Aan de Bronnen van de Zaire, Paris 1994, p. 165