Standing figure "mbwoolu" · D. R. Congo, Yaka/Suku · ID: 3039632
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, red pigment “khula”, elongated cylindrical trunk with physical deformity (arms), head with “bweni” headdress and tribe-typical facial features, slightly dam., minor missing parts (nose, left ear), fine crack (left side of the head), abrasion of paint, base;
“mbwoolu” figures were used for healing illnesses. The figures always show physical deformities such as missing limbs, expanding body sections, janus-form, or spiralled torsi. The latter symbolizes belly ache or a general feeling of malady.
The object Standing figure “mbwoolu” with the object ID 3039632 was last part of the auction 81st Tribal Art Auction at October 31, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 508 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,100.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Bourgeois, Arthur P., Art of the Yaka and Suku, Paris 1984, p. 109