Dance mask - Congo (No reserve price)

A facial African mask, fairly pared-down, with an orange surface painted with a network of dark bands. Small blemishes. Matte patina.

Scattered in the Kasaï basin, the Tetela of Mongo origin were at the origin of incessant conflicts with their neighbors. They also abundantly participated in the slave trade. Their highly diverse sculpture is marked by the influence of the groups in contact with them: to the north, their art was subjected to the influence of forest populations such as the Mongo; to the northwest, that of the Nkutschu; and to the west, that of the Binji and Mputu. Kuba traditions were also a source of inspiration, as were those of the Songye in the southwest. Their fetishes are kept out of sight. Animists, they seek to appease and direct the elements through the sorcerer Wichi and the priest Umpa. Their traditional currency of exchange, the "dikonga", in the form of spearheads, has also helped to make the skill of their smiths and those of the Nkutschu known."} correct_text: true} and other tokens. The JSON should only have translated_text. The above includes a stray