Mask - Bakongo - DR Congo
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
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Mask from DR Congo, an authentic Bakongo wood mask of the late 20th century in good condition, measuring 30 cm high by 22 cm wide by 11 cm deep and weighing 350 g, originating from a private collection.
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Description from the seller
Authentic light wooden mask with great aged patina from the Bakongo people of DR Congo. Along with their neighbors, the Yombe, the Bakongo people had white-faced masks that were associated with the spirit world. They were less common than their better known fetish or power figures, but some share the glass eyes, magic cavities and inserted nails of those figures.
The Kongo (or Bakongo) is a populous nation historically inhabiting the west coast of central Africa, now confined to the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola. The Kongo maintain an animistic religion based on ancestor cults and worship of the supreme god Nzambi. The Kongo people are divided into several subethnicities, including Beembe, Bwende, Vili, Sundi, and the makers of this mask, the Yombe.
The nganga diphomba, or diviner, plays an important role in Yombe society, detecting and punishing sorcery. Most major social ills are attributed to sorcery in Kongo cultures, including drought, crime, and accidents. The society of diviners wears two kinds of masks to identify and punish sorcerers, male (with a beard) and female (with a topknot). Both masks evoke ancestor spirits for the protection fo the diviner. With the mask, they paint their bodies and wear a skirt of turaco feathers and a belt of brass bells. They use their own sorcery (kundu) to detect the culprit and counteract their curses.
Such masks may also be also used by the Khimba Society in adult initiation rituals, probably by the nganga diphomba himself.
Provenance: former private collection from Germany.
Shipping within 24 hours after the payment is received. Tracking number will be provided. Signature upon delivery. Fully insured.
Seller's Story
Asian African Art is a gallery specialized in authentic ethnographic art. Lately we are mainly focused on African Art
We also have a specialism in golden collectable coins.
Your order is in safe hands, we have more than 50 years experience in coins.
For more interesting items please visit our website: Asian African Art, located in the Netherlands.
Authentic light wooden mask with great aged patina from the Bakongo people of DR Congo. Along with their neighbors, the Yombe, the Bakongo people had white-faced masks that were associated with the spirit world. They were less common than their better known fetish or power figures, but some share the glass eyes, magic cavities and inserted nails of those figures.
The Kongo (or Bakongo) is a populous nation historically inhabiting the west coast of central Africa, now confined to the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola. The Kongo maintain an animistic religion based on ancestor cults and worship of the supreme god Nzambi. The Kongo people are divided into several subethnicities, including Beembe, Bwende, Vili, Sundi, and the makers of this mask, the Yombe.
The nganga diphomba, or diviner, plays an important role in Yombe society, detecting and punishing sorcery. Most major social ills are attributed to sorcery in Kongo cultures, including drought, crime, and accidents. The society of diviners wears two kinds of masks to identify and punish sorcerers, male (with a beard) and female (with a topknot). Both masks evoke ancestor spirits for the protection fo the diviner. With the mask, they paint their bodies and wear a skirt of turaco feathers and a belt of brass bells. They use their own sorcery (kundu) to detect the culprit and counteract their curses.
Such masks may also be also used by the Khimba Society in adult initiation rituals, probably by the nganga diphomba himself.
Provenance: former private collection from Germany.
Shipping within 24 hours after the payment is received. Tracking number will be provided. Signature upon delivery. Fully insured.
Seller's Story
Asian African Art is a gallery specialized in authentic ethnographic art. Lately we are mainly focused on African Art
We also have a specialism in golden collectable coins.
Your order is in safe hands, we have more than 50 years experience in coins.
For more interesting items please visit our website: Asian African Art, located in the Netherlands.
Details
Ethnic group/ culture
Bakongo
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Mask
Height
30 cm
Width
22 cm
Depth
11 cm
Weight
350 g
Provenance
Private collection
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