Mask - Kete - DR Congo (No reserve price)

Old Kété mask, from the Kété sub-group (or Bakété) of the Kuba culture in western Kasai, Democratic Republic of Congo, occupies a central place in male initiation rites (Buadi) and funeral ceremonies. Unlike the royal Bushoong masks, the Kété embodies specifically the traditions of the southern part of the kingdom, serving to invoke ancestors and to accompany the deceased to the afterlife while reaffirming social cohesion.
Used during critical transitions in life, the mask allows the wearer to transcend his individual identity to become a mediator between the world of the living and the world of spirits. This practice preserves not only a collective memory, but also a spiritual hierarchy where sculptural art becomes the indispensable vector for transmitting ancestral knowledge and the legitimacy of communal power.

Presentation of our expert house

Based in Belgium, our expert and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a history of several hundred sales with an almost 100% customer satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with many sales offered without reserve prices.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

All of our collections are visible year-round at specialized fairs and exhibitions, but also through the online catalog of our gallery Héritage Galerie:
https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/

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Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any question or request for further information.