Mask - Bakongo - DR Congo (No reserve price)

Superb Bakongo mask from the Zaire.

These masks are called Ndunga, named after the association to which they belong.

In terms of stylistic approach, it is probably the existence of the slanted eyes that first catches our attention. Then the polychromy, the triad white, black, red (or ochre here, it would seem), the importance of the mouth... and in the latter case the impressive volume of the costume, here formed essentially of feathers often from dried leaves.

It should be noted that the Ndunga institution exercised an important political function and its members were responsible for enforcing social order.