Masque Kota - Bakota - Gabon
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Masque Kota from Gabon, Bakota culture, made of wood and copper, 25 cm high and 18 cm wide, in good condition and officially authentic.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Origin. Gabon
Name of the tribe. Bakota
Material. Wood, copper
Dimension. 25 cm
Mode of shipping. Colissimo within 24-48h.
The mask depicted is a remarkable object that presents several distinctive features:
Material and appearance
Structure of the face: The face is sculpted with expressive features. The eyes are represented by horizontal slits, while the nose is prominent and well-defined. The mouth, slightly sketched, is placed beneath a protruding nose.
Ornaments and scarifications: Vertical metal bands are inlaid along the forehead and run down the nasal bridge, evoking ritual scarifications characteristic of Kota art or related groups.
Hairstyle and form: The upper part of the mask ends in a domed shape, reminiscent of an elaborate coiffure, topped by a small central protruding element. The mask has an overall oval shape, almost heart- or pear-shaped, typical of certain stylistic traditions of Central Africa.
Although the term "Kota" is traditionally associated with the famous reliquary figures (mbulu ngulu) with a stylized, flat body, this mask illustrates the diversity of artistic forms arising from the cultures of the Congo Basin (Gabon/ Congo), where metalwork on wood is a highly symbolic technique.
Origin. Gabon
Name of the tribe. Bakota
Material. Wood, copper
Dimension. 25 cm
Mode of shipping. Colissimo within 24-48h.
The mask depicted is a remarkable object that presents several distinctive features:
Material and appearance
Structure of the face: The face is sculpted with expressive features. The eyes are represented by horizontal slits, while the nose is prominent and well-defined. The mouth, slightly sketched, is placed beneath a protruding nose.
Ornaments and scarifications: Vertical metal bands are inlaid along the forehead and run down the nasal bridge, evoking ritual scarifications characteristic of Kota art or related groups.
Hairstyle and form: The upper part of the mask ends in a domed shape, reminiscent of an elaborate coiffure, topped by a small central protruding element. The mask has an overall oval shape, almost heart- or pear-shaped, typical of certain stylistic traditions of Central Africa.
Although the term "Kota" is traditionally associated with the famous reliquary figures (mbulu ngulu) with a stylized, flat body, this mask illustrates the diversity of artistic forms arising from the cultures of the Congo Basin (Gabon/ Congo), where metalwork on wood is a highly symbolic technique.
Details
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Bakota
Country of Origin
Gabon
Material
Copper, Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Masque Kota
Height
25 cm
Width
18 cm
Provenance
Gallery / Antique dealer
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
