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Leana Nagel

 Old African Ngbaka mask from Ubangi, Northern Congo.

Size: 33 cm high.

Ngbaka masks from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are traditional works of art made by the Ngbaka people, an ethnic group that lives mainly in the southwestern region of the DRC. These masks are important artistic expressions of Ngbaka culture and spirituality.

Ngbaka masks are characterized by their figurative aesthetic and distinctive artistic style. They are generally designed to be worn on the face during ceremonies and rituals. These masks depict stylized human figures with expressive facial features, such as eyes, noses and mouths. They are carved from wood and richly decorated, often with local materials, such as shells, textiles, plant fibers and paint.

These masks have important ritual and cultural functions within Ngbaka society. They are used in dance ceremonies, religious rituals, rites of passage and other cultural events. Dancers wearing these masks perform specific dances, imitating the movements and behavior of the characters depicted. Masks are also associated with spiritual beliefs and are used to communicate with ancestors and spirits.

In addition to their ritual role, Ngbaka masks are also admired as works of art in their own right. Their distinctive aesthetic, artistic creativity and connection to Ngbaka culture make them attractive objects for African art collectors and art lovers worldwide. They are exhibited in museums and art galleries to highlight the richness of Ngbaka culture and the diversity of traditional African art.
This figure comes from the culturally dynamic northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo along the river systems feeding the great Congo River, especially from the Ngbaka or Ngbandi.

The Ngbaka moved into the area inhabited by the Ngbandi in an area bounded by the Ubangi and Lualaba River systems and as a result both groups share sculpture forms and the details of scarification that often leads to some confusion as to the attribution of their sculpture.

Ngbaka use anthropomorphic figures, generally in pairs, to represent mythological and distant family founders known as Seto a male and Nabo his wife that are kept on family shrines. Ngbaka figures take their red color from being washed in palm oil and red tukula powder made from tree bark.

The facial features are divided by a vertical line of scarification that in other figures extends onto the lower body. The shaping of the details of the body are truly a study and sculptural inventiveness. Ngbaka sculptures are typically anthropomorphic figures, often depicted in pairs, and hold significance in representing mythological and ancestral figures known as Seto (male) and Nabo (female). These sculptures are kept on family shrines and are associated with the Ngbaka people's spiritual beliefs.

Scarification is another significant aspect of Ngbaka sculpture. The facial features of the figures are divided by a vertical line of scarification, which in some cases extends onto the lower body. Scarification is a form of body modification that involves creating decorative or symbolic patterns on the skin through controlled scarring. The presence of scarification on Ngbaka figures contributes to their distinctive aesthetic and cultural identity.

The Ngbaka people demonstrate remarkable skill and sculptural inventiveness in shaping the details of the body in their sculptures. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in Ngbaka art reflect the cultural significance and artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Overall, the Ngbaka sculptures serve as tangible representations of their cultural heritage, mythologies, and ancestral connections. They are not only visually captivating but also hold deep cultural and spiritual meanings within the Ngbaka community.

Excellent condition

African Ngbaka mask - Congo.  (No reserve price)

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Closing date

Sunday

3 September

Saturday

Wednesday

Tuesday

tomorrow

Monday

6 September

today

Budget

From

Location

France

Belgium

The Netherlands

Germany

Spain

Italy

Portugal

Austria

Luxembourg

Poland

United States

Finland

Romania

Size

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

XS (under 10 cm)

L (over 80 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Sculpture

Dance mask

Mask

Textile

Statue

Dagger

Fetish figure

Tribal books manuscripts and catalogues

Book

Ancestor figure

Statuette

Carving

Weights

Walking stick

Figurehead

Neck rest

Stool

Ring

Bracelet

Painting

Artwork

Country of origin

DR Congo

Mali

Nigeria

Côte d'Ivoire

Congo

Gabon

Côte d’Ivoire

Burkina Faso

Ghana

Cameroon

Angola

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Benin

Africa

South Africa

Tanzania

Ethiopia

Liberia

Niger

Togo

Chad

Madagascar

Senegal

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Copper

Aluminium

Metal

Iron (wrought)

Leather

Bone

Brass

Iron

Iron (cast/wrought)

Textiles

Glass

Paper

Iron (cast)

Wicker

Wood (Oak)

Opaline glass

Steel

Clay

Earthenware

Stone

Patinated bronze

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Fair condition

Good

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Very good

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

As new - unused

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Good condition, see description

Fair condition, see description

Brand New

Needs restoration

As new

Excellent

Mixed / Multiple

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Very good condition, slightly used with small signs of wear

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very poor - showing significant decay, loss of original texture or solidity of the material

Very good +

Extras

No extra's

Dust jacket

Original parts

Drum sticks

without manual without box

Period

Mid 20th century

Late 20th century

1930-1940

2000-2010

1940-1950

1960-1970

1920-1930

2020+

1950-1960

1980-1990

1990-2000

1850-1900

1970-1980

Late 19th century

1400-1450

Early 20th century

1900-1910

2010-2020

Early 19th century

1910-1920

1800-1850

1500-1550

1750-1800

2023

Mid 18th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

America

Anthropology

Regional interest

Tribal art and culture

Oceania

Archaeology

African & Tribal Art

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African Ngbaka mask - Congo. (No reserve price)

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