Ritual mask - Ituri Forest - DR Congo

Ritual mask – Ituri Forest – Democratic Republic of the Congo

A striking frontal sculpture, where its graphic force conveys a ritual function without compromise.

Mask originating from the Ituri forest, a region renowned for the rarity and power of its ritual productions. This specimen is distinguished by an uncommon typology, both in its form and in its pictorial treatment, placing it at the margins of the corpora most frequently encountered.

The composition is strictly frontal, almost architectural. The face, with a rectangular profile, is structured around a sharply protruding triangular nose, a true axis of symmetry. The eyes, narrow and oblique, reduced to mere slits, emphasize the expression of vigilance and tension. The mouth, carved into a rectangle, reveals triangularly sculpted teeth, giving the whole an intimidating presence, deliberately deterrent.

The polychromy, alternating kaolin-white and deep red, evokes a dual symbolism frequently linked to concepts of life, death, protection, and passage. These pigments, today only partially altered, attest to genuine ritual use, reinforced by the ancient patina and the wear marks visible on the surface of the wood.

The plant-fiber collar preserved at the base of the mask is an important element: it recalls its original integration into a complete costume, intended for ritual performances, probably linked to ceremonies of social regulation, community protection, or rites of passage.

Masks from the Ituri Forest, across all ethnic groups, are markedly less documented and rarer on the market than those from the neighboring major regions. This specimen, with its radical formal language and singular typology, addresses discerning collectors who appreciate authentic works, unconventional pieces, and ones that are strongly symbolically charged.

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