Squatting figure "bulul" · Philippines - Ifugao · ID: 3043660
Description
wood, middle brown patina, brass wire, typical posture, slightly dam., missing parts (right ear), crack (base).
“Bulul” predominantly had the task to protect the rice against thieves and vermin, to cause the rice to multiply, and to prevent famine. Most “bulul” were created in connection with elevation in rank to the status of the elite called “kadangyan”. Some “bulul” were created in commemoration of the marriage union of a couple belonging to the elite “kadangyan”. Other “bulul” were produced to cure illnesses, specifically bone diseases and muscle disorders.
The object Squatting figure “bulul” with the object ID 3043660 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 3.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on Asian art.
Comparing literature
Anderson, Eric Moltzau, In the shape of tradition, Leiden 2010, p. 100 f.