Authentic, Antique Nuchu Collection from early/mid-1900s

  

This wonderful collection of ethnographic artifacts includes one (1) hardwood figurine from the highlands of Guatemala and ten (10) traditional, carved statuettes from the Kuna culture of the San Blas Islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Known as nuchus, these Kuna figurines have been used for generations as spirit healing aides for the injured and infirm. All but one of these (the lighter colored female figurine with clasped hands) have been ritually anointed in ceremonies using varied plant and animal extracts applied and prayed over by a local shaman. All are authentic and were individually acquired in 1968 from different Kuna families and individuals living on the small island of Aligandi and two others in the San Blas chain and in the town of Porvenir, on the nearby Darien coast of Panama. They are fragile, unique, museum-quality pieces of balsa and other soft woods, ranging in length from 5" to 13", and of considerable ethnographic interest.

The provenance of the eleventh, lone carved hardwood figurine (it is the statuette on the far right of the groupings in images #1, 3, 4, 9, and 10) is unknown. In Guatemala City and is reminiscent of a post-colonial tradition, though this is only my less than fully informed conjecture.

The item "Authentic, Antique Nuchu Collection from early/mid-1900s" is in sale since Sunday, April 23, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Latin American\Other Latin Am. The seller is "thundercloud2" and is located in Middle Grove, New York. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Provenance: Ownership History Available
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Panama