Standing male figure · D. R. Congo, Sikasingo- Bembe(eastern) - Buyu · ID: 3045637
Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, Switzerland
René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1985)
Hans Baumann (1926-2010), Bern-Muri, Switzerland
Koller, Zurich, 5 December 2011, Lot 328
Alfred W. Angst, Aeugstertal-Zurich, Switzerland
Description
wood, base
Figures of the Sikasingo often represent individual ancestors, called “bashumbu”.
The figures should protect against mischief and disease, but could also inflict harm on enemies. They should foresee coming danger and ward off evil.
Depending on their size, they were intended for private use or for the community and were therefore kept at home or in the public shrines. They were under the protection of the village elders and tribal leaders and were ritually activated by fortune-tellers.
The object Standing male figure with the object ID 3045637 was last part of the auction 92nd Tribal Art Auction at June 29, 2019 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 68 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,800.
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Expertise
René David, Zurich, 30 October 1985
Publications
Jean-Paul Barbier, "Über Josef Müller", in: "Du", Europäische Kunstzeitschrift, no 450, August 1978, p. 69