Said Nuchu Statue, Kuna People, Panama

Statue presenting a character standing with his arms along his body. The rectangular shaped face is simple with a mouth that is only suggested. The eyes are enhanced with blue pearls. The arches are well marked as well as the nose which is disproportionate. There remains red pigment that beautifies the face. The character wears a necklace of yellow pearls around his neck. These statues called "Nuchus", had a medicinal function. Indeed, they were found in every house, placed vertically in a box. Each member of the household was represented by one or more "nuchus". If there was a problem, the healer grabbed a statue and made incantations to summon the healing spirits.
Here we have a typical example of the style, simple and elegant.
Wood, pearls, pigments.
Traces of use and slight losses. H: 34.5 cm
Kuna people, San Blas archipelago, Panama Mid-20th century Provenance: Galerie Justin Barthels (1934-2021), Maastricht