African Sculpture - Kuba Tribe - Democratic Republic of Congo - Friction Oracle

Description

African Sculpture - KubaTribe -  Democratic Republic of the Congo. Condition is Used. This is an old and interesting carved wooden
Itombwa
friction oracle. The sculpture is 17.5 " long. As seen in the second photo there was a break to the leg at one time that was repaired. Friction oracles are invariably wooden representations of a four-legged animal with a flat back. The back serves as a surface against which an implement of wood, fiber or resin is rubbed. It is through the action of rubbing this implement back and forth across the surface of the oracle that responses to inquiries are obtained by the deviner.
I am reducing my collection of African masks and will have additional listings over the coming weeks.