Songye-Kifwebe shields - DR Congo

Origin. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name. Songye
Material. Wood
Dimensions. H 60 cm . W 38 cm
Shipping method. Colissimo within 24–48 business hours

This ceremonial or prestige shield attributed to the Songye people (originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo) has a particularly rich and symbolic aesthetic:
​1. Overall shape and structure
​Anthropomorphic / curved silhouette: The shield has a lobed oval shape (or the shape of a violin / wide hourglass), carved from a single piece of wood.
​Front (outer) face: It is dominated by raised geometric motifs, characterized by series of grooved concentric circles adorning the upper and lower parts of the shield, creating a wave-like or radiating effect around the center.
​Back (inner) face: The unfinished surface shows traces of carving and hollowing by the tool (chisel or adze), and has a raised handle carved directly from the solid wood at its center, allowing for a firm grip.
​2. The central motif (masked face)
​At the heart of the shield, where the lobes meet, is a high-relief carving of a stylized face resembling traditional Songye Kifwebe-type masks:
​Eyes and nose: The eyes are almond-shaped and marked with dark pigments (generally white kaolin combined with soot or black/dark pigments), as is the vertical line on the headdress or forehead.
​Mouth: A small, slightly open rectangular mouth, characteristic of the iconography of masks from the region.
​Striations: The face and central border are finely marked with parallel grooves, typical of Songye graphic art, which symbolizes magical-religious markings and states of trance or spiritual power.
​3. Materials and patina
​Polychrome wood: Carved from dense tropical wood, it bears a natural two-tone patina, or one enhanced with pigments (alternating warm brown tones of wood aged over time and areas highlighted in black/dark hues).
​Function: Although shields originally served a physical protective function, this richly carved type of piece primarily served as an object of prestige, an emblem of power for chiefs or dignitaries, or played a strong protective and spiritual role within the community.