Power figure "buti" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3033514
Description
wood, matt brown patina, arms and lower part of the body wrapped with cotton fabric, which is fixed by cord material, small thatchets with inserted feathers attached to the two sides, small openings in breast and head for insertion of magical mass, the right foot inscribed with white paint on the inside: “Ten Houten”, slightly dam. (nose, ears), cracks, on plate;
the presence of bird feathers refers to the power that the master of this figure had to counter enemies, or pursue them through the air. The “buti” charms are equally numerous and diverse. Their employ encompasses all aspects of life: divination, protection against sorcery and negative turns of fate, acquisition of riches or a particular power, wreaking vengeance, etc.
The object Power figure “buti” with the object ID 3033514 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 479 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,200.
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Exhibition
Gerardus van der Leeuw Museum, Groningen, The Netherlands, 1970 -1996