Zoomorphic friction oracle "itombwa" · D. R. Congo, Kuba · ID: 3041740
sold
EUR 1,500
Provenance
Peter Loebarth, Hameln, GermanyBernd Muhlack, Kiel, Germany
Walter Schmidt, Würzburg/Innsbruck, Germany/Austria
Size
H: 5,5 cm
L: 33 cm
H: 2.2 inch
L: 13.0 inch
Description
light brown wood, shiny reddish brown patina, in form of a quadruped (crocodile?), complete with rubbing implement, min. dam., fine cracks, small missing parts, sligth traces of usage;
regarded as infallible divinatory instruments, friction oracles were used to mediate between diviners and omniscient nature spirits in order to determine the cause of illness and appropriate courses of treatment and to expose dishonesty.
Comparing literature
LaGamma, Alisa, Art and Oracle, New York 2000, p. 44 f.
Publications
AHDRC: 0141991