Ngulu Mask - Chokwe - Angola
05
days
11
hours
36
minutes
23
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 650 - € 750
No bids placed
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Description from the seller
The Ngulu mask is distinguished by its naturalistic zoomorphic form: the sculpture evokes the head of a pig with a prominent snout, sometimes accentuated by a red band on the nose, and markings or bossings on the cheeks. Some pieces incorporate integrated accessories such as metal pieces, beads, fibers or textiles attached to the back, which were used to fix the dancer’s headdress or to complete the ritual costume.
The dancers often wear this mask high on the head, so that their field of vision passes through a cloth or fibers at eye level.
In some museum collections, such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a Ngulu mask is also interpreted as a piece in which the wearer imitates pig behavior — sometimes even mimicking locomotion on all fours — which is an integral part of the ritual performance.
Purchased in Lisbon a few years ago in a specialized shop.
Possibility to acquire a high-end plinth to display this mask, contact me
Presentation of our expertise house:
Based in Belgium, our expertise and sales house has been assisting collectors and families for years, with a simple approach: seriousness, transparency and service. We enjoy a solid reputation among tribal art enthusiasts and are among the reference sellers on Catawiki, where we count among the oldest dealers (over 8 years).
We have appraised and ensured the liquidation and dispersion of dozens of family collections, and sold thousands of objects in partnership with individuals, notaries, estates, inheritances and terminations of collection. Our track record speaks for itself: hundreds of evaluations nearing 100% positive reviews, an indicator that is worth more than any talk about our commitment and reliability.
Pieces that have passed through our hands today appear in prestigious collections and, for some, have joined museum institutions — a guarantee of the quality and coherence of our selection throughout the year. We regularly offer sales with no reserve.
Express shipping: dispatch within 24 hours, insurance, tracking and extremely careful and secure packaging.
Contact 7 days a week: we respond quickly and remain at your disposal to advise you and document the objects for sale.
The Ngulu mask is distinguished by its naturalistic zoomorphic form: the sculpture evokes the head of a pig with a prominent snout, sometimes accentuated by a red band on the nose, and markings or bossings on the cheeks. Some pieces incorporate integrated accessories such as metal pieces, beads, fibers or textiles attached to the back, which were used to fix the dancer’s headdress or to complete the ritual costume.
The dancers often wear this mask high on the head, so that their field of vision passes through a cloth or fibers at eye level.
In some museum collections, such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a Ngulu mask is also interpreted as a piece in which the wearer imitates pig behavior — sometimes even mimicking locomotion on all fours — which is an integral part of the ritual performance.
Purchased in Lisbon a few years ago in a specialized shop.
Possibility to acquire a high-end plinth to display this mask, contact me
Presentation of our expertise house:
Based in Belgium, our expertise and sales house has been assisting collectors and families for years, with a simple approach: seriousness, transparency and service. We enjoy a solid reputation among tribal art enthusiasts and are among the reference sellers on Catawiki, where we count among the oldest dealers (over 8 years).
We have appraised and ensured the liquidation and dispersion of dozens of family collections, and sold thousands of objects in partnership with individuals, notaries, estates, inheritances and terminations of collection. Our track record speaks for itself: hundreds of evaluations nearing 100% positive reviews, an indicator that is worth more than any talk about our commitment and reliability.
Pieces that have passed through our hands today appear in prestigious collections and, for some, have joined museum institutions — a guarantee of the quality and coherence of our selection throughout the year. We regularly offer sales with no reserve.
Express shipping: dispatch within 24 hours, insurance, tracking and extremely careful and secure packaging.
Contact 7 days a week: we respond quickly and remain at your disposal to advise you and document the objects for sale.
Details
Indigenous object name
Ngulu Mask
Ethnic group/ culture
Chokwe
Country of Origin
Angola
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
25 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Gallery / Antique dealer
Sold by
