Mask - Congo (No reserve price)
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Wooden African mask from the Congo, depicting the spirit of a Gongo boy and coming from a private collection acquired in 1960.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Mask, embodying the spirit of 'a young gongo boy,' was traditionally worn by young men during harvest festivals or celebrations related to the spirit of the earth. It follows the gongo conventions: a fine face covered in white, tattoos, and scarifications. The white symbolizes ancestral spirits, and these masks often accompany the deceased during funeral rites. Matte patina, abrasions, halos, and scratches.
Height on base: 38 cm.
The gongo live in the forests of southeastern gongo. They have managed to combine a deep sense of individuality with a strong feeling of belonging to the group. Their political system is complex and little known. The village is the main social unit, with the extended family being the smallest. Each village enjoys great autonomy and is under the authority of the oldest lineage chief. The gongo's religion includes, on the one hand, the god Chuku, the supreme creator, considered omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and on the other hand, the spirit of the land, Ane.
Beautiful African mask
Mask, embodying the spirit of 'a young gongo boy,' was traditionally worn by young men during harvest festivals or celebrations related to the spirit of the earth. It follows the gongo conventions: a fine face covered in white, tattoos, and scarifications. The white symbolizes ancestral spirits, and these masks often accompany the deceased during funeral rites. Matte patina, abrasions, halos, and scratches.
Height on base: 38 cm.
The gongo live in the forests of southeastern gongo. They have managed to combine a deep sense of individuality with a strong feeling of belonging to the group. Their political system is complex and little known. The village is the main social unit, with the extended family being the smallest. Each village enjoys great autonomy and is under the authority of the oldest lineage chief. The gongo's religion includes, on the one hand, the god Chuku, the supreme creator, considered omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and on the other hand, the spirit of the land, Ane.
Beautiful African mask
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture
Ancient Asian
No. of items
1
Century/ Timeframe
1900-200
Material
Wood
Acquired from
Private collection
Country of Origin
Congo
Year acquired
1960
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Country acquired from
Africa
Height
34 cm
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Width
18 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1940
Previous owner - country acquired from
Africa
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
