Stammesmaske - Kifwebe - Songye - Demokratische Republik Kongo

Ancient male Kifwebe mask complete of costume from Songye tribe, D. R. of Congo.

Dimensions: height: 41 cm; width: 24 cm; depth: 26 cm; with costume: height: 83 cm; width: 69 cm; depth: 62 cm.

Estimated age: 1970.

Provenance: purchased on 1974 by comboni father Elvio Gostoli. Acquired with a bunch of funerary posts from South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo and a group of Bongo stones from father Elvio Gostoli himself on 2010.

Type of wood: Ricinodendron Rautanenii.

Substances: the colours of the mask are a bit faded. The black dye has been identified as charcoal (“Lifito” in Basongye language). The white dye has been applied by the use of riverbed clay (known in Basongye language as “Ntoshi”), a type of clay similar to kaolin, mixed with yellow ochre (limonite dust). The red dye has been obtained from Bixa Orellana (annatto). The mask has been repainted several times, as usual for most of tribally used masks from Songye tribe. Looking carefully at the surface, it's possible to see four levels of colour, of which the last appears to be the white dye all over the mask. The fur applied on the nose comes from Da Brazza's monkeys fur (Cercopithecus Neglectus).

The mask comes complete of its costume made by vegetable fibres, cone and plumes on it.

Overall condition: the mask shows general wear and light grey patina. The wood is very fragile due to its old age. Considering its age, the mask is in great shape.

This is an unique piece, of inestimable value, not easy to find of this age, and not easy to find of this beauty.

A true, unquestionable masterpiece.

A professional invoice with a picture of the object, as well as the aforementioned description, will be delivered with the lot.

Delivery by International Quick Pack.