Mask "mbuya" - Pende - DR Congo
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
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Estimate € 1,600 - € 1,800
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Masque "mbuya" of the Pende from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 41 cm high, mid-20th century, in excellent condition and authentic/original, sold with stand, provenance from the Jean-Marc Desaive collection and Stanley's Auction house, made of wood, raphia and vegetal fibres.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Very beautiful Pende mask "mbuya"
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height: 41 cm (excluding the base and with the headdress)
Materials: wood, raphia, plant fibers
Estimated period: mid-20th century (1940s)
Provenance: former collection of Jean-Marc Desaive - Belgium; Stanley's Auction house - Belgium
This Pende mask comes from the Jean-Marc Desaive collection, known for having published the book "Pende" with Mr. Laeremans. (see last photograph)
According to Sousberghe (1959), mbuya masks appeared and danced in the village during festivities occasioned by the return of the circumcised. See Falgayrettes-Leveau (2004, p.40)
Used to represent a large number of characters in a spectacular and dramatic choreography, these masks are characterized by great diversity. This variety within a single category is explained by the large number of male and female characters depicted during the mukanda ceremonies, organized for the initiation of young boys.
"In the Gatundu region, famous for its artist workshops, these masks are considered a benevolent force in case of illness [...] and are reproduced as amulets (ikhoko), carved in wood, bone, or ivory" (Neyt, F., Traditional arts and history in Zaïre. Forest cultures and savannah kingdoms, Brussels, 1981, p. 138)
This Pende mask is sold mounted.
Sold with the purchase slip from the auction house Stanley's.
Careful and insured delivery with tracking number
Very beautiful Pende mask "mbuya"
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height: 41 cm (excluding the base and with the headdress)
Materials: wood, raphia, plant fibers
Estimated period: mid-20th century (1940s)
Provenance: former collection of Jean-Marc Desaive - Belgium; Stanley's Auction house - Belgium
This Pende mask comes from the Jean-Marc Desaive collection, known for having published the book "Pende" with Mr. Laeremans. (see last photograph)
According to Sousberghe (1959), mbuya masks appeared and danced in the village during festivities occasioned by the return of the circumcised. See Falgayrettes-Leveau (2004, p.40)
Used to represent a large number of characters in a spectacular and dramatic choreography, these masks are characterized by great diversity. This variety within a single category is explained by the large number of male and female characters depicted during the mukanda ceremonies, organized for the initiation of young boys.
"In the Gatundu region, famous for its artist workshops, these masks are considered a benevolent force in case of illness [...] and are reproduced as amulets (ikhoko), carved in wood, bone, or ivory" (Neyt, F., Traditional arts and history in Zaïre. Forest cultures and savannah kingdoms, Brussels, 1981, p. 138)
This Pende mask is sold mounted.
Sold with the purchase slip from the auction house Stanley's.
Careful and insured delivery with tracking number
Details
Ethnic group/ culture
Pende
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Mask "mbuya"
Height
41 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
