Northern Bayaka - DR Congo
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 500 - € 550
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Wooden mask from the North Bayaka (Bayaka del Norte) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating to the mid-20th century, with a height of 110 cm, in acceptable condition, from a private collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
The face of this mask, completely whitewashed except for a few blue strokes around
the eyes, ears and mouth, is reminiscent of the white masks of Ogoue in Gabon.
The mask, taking into account African colour symbolism, represents the spirit of
a returned deceased, a rare theme in Yaka masks. As for the face of the mask, below
a narrow forehead (framed laterally and superiorly by a slightly curved and simple hairline),
from the eye sockets (in the shape of an elongated V that occupies the entire width of the
face), there is a large nose with wide, pierced nostrils (the nose and line of the
eye sockets together are shaped like a fleur-de-lis). The eyes, in relief, almond-shaped, are not pierced and the pupils are marked by a slight depression inside the almond-shaped edge; the mouth, in the shape of an elongated heart, is open showing the teeth, well drawn, with the two upper central incisors filed
in the shape of an inverted V; the chin is rounded with a sharp edge; the ears are two
wide plates in strong relief. The overall impression is one of introversion and amazement in a totally expressionist style. The superstructure consists of an elongated vertical cone passing through two horizontal discs (the antennae are missing); the collar, wide and very long, is not made of raffia but of much thicker vegetable fibres, dark brown in colour.
Provenance: Berthe Hartert Collection
Argiles Collection, Barcelona
The face of this mask, completely whitewashed except for a few blue strokes around
the eyes, ears and mouth, is reminiscent of the white masks of Ogoue in Gabon.
The mask, taking into account African colour symbolism, represents the spirit of
a returned deceased, a rare theme in Yaka masks. As for the face of the mask, below
a narrow forehead (framed laterally and superiorly by a slightly curved and simple hairline),
from the eye sockets (in the shape of an elongated V that occupies the entire width of the
face), there is a large nose with wide, pierced nostrils (the nose and line of the
eye sockets together are shaped like a fleur-de-lis). The eyes, in relief, almond-shaped, are not pierced and the pupils are marked by a slight depression inside the almond-shaped edge; the mouth, in the shape of an elongated heart, is open showing the teeth, well drawn, with the two upper central incisors filed
in the shape of an inverted V; the chin is rounded with a sharp edge; the ears are two
wide plates in strong relief. The overall impression is one of introversion and amazement in a totally expressionist style. The superstructure consists of an elongated vertical cone passing through two horizontal discs (the antennae are missing); the collar, wide and very long, is not made of raffia but of much thicker vegetable fibres, dark brown in colour.
Provenance: Berthe Hartert Collection
Argiles Collection, Barcelona
Details
No. of items
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Northern Bayaka
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Height
110 cm
Provenance
Private collection
