Standing power figure "phuungu" · D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3042115
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 28 June 2014, lot 531
Bernhard Jäger, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
Description
wood, middle brown patina, black paint, the body enclosed by a package filled with magical mass, two small packages with inserted feathers in place of the arms, min. dam., minor missing parts (headgear, right thigh), min. abrasion, base;
a “phuungu” is owned by the head of a patrilineal kin group and may pass from father to son. Its primary function is to protect against witches and other enemies and for this purpose it is often positioned on the wall near the roof supports in the interior of a dwelling.
The object Standing power figure “phuungu” with the object ID 3042115 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 150 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,600.
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Comparing literature
Bourgeois, Arthur P., Art of the Yaka and Suku, Paris 1984, p. 208 f.
Publications
AHDRC: 0142034