Standing power figure "phuungu" · D. R. Congo, Suku · ID: 3037535
Description
wood, mat brown patina, remains of kaolin, red pigment, the lower body wrapped with cloth, both hands resting on the chest, piercings underneath the armpits, string with small antelope horns around the neck, min. dam., slight traces of insect caused damage and abrasion, base;
“phuungu” figures served as containers for protective magical power exercised by the experts against illness, to avenge sorcery and for supernatural assistance in hunting.
The object Standing power figure “phuungu” with the object ID 3037535 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 501.
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Comparing literature
Bourgeois, Arthur P., Art of the Yaka and Suku, Paris 1984, p. 214