Bidspirit auction | Guna Nuchu Carved Wood Medicine

Guna Nuchu Carved Wood Medicine Figure with Carved Headdress - Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1950s 11.5 inches Hand-carved wooden nuchu or uchu medicine doll standing on integral block feet with a pair of columnar legs supporting a blocky torso. The figure holds a rectangular object across its lap, grasped at either side by simply rendered hands with incised fingers. The head is crowned by a broad headdress or simply long hair that frames a narrow face with arched brows, drilled pupils, a long prominent nose, and a small pursed mouth. Nuchukana are sacred spirit figures carved from specific woods and called upon by Guna neles (shamans/medicine people) to house helper spirits who assist in healing ceremonies and protective rituals. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection.