Dance mask - Pende - Democratic Republic of the Congo (No reserve price)
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Masque Mbuya Kiwoyo-Muyombo, Pende from the western Pende of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, carved bois with pigments, dimensions 34 × 17.5 cm, in fairly good used condition with minor losses, reverse bearing the old label “PENDÉ MBUYA.”
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Description from the seller
Mask Mbuya Kiwoyo-Muyombo – Pende – RD Congo – antique
Important and authentic Mbuya dance mask of the western Pende, of the Kiwoyo-Muyombo (Giwoyo) type,
Carved in light wood, the mask shows the classic features of Pende aesthetics: strongly projected forehead, M-shaped eyebrow line, narrow half-closed eyes, upturned nose, mouth slightly open revealing teeth and parallel scarifications on the cheeks. An old brown-red, black and white polychromy, probably containing kaolin, largely persists despite a handsome wear from use.
The long sculpted extension under the chin is one of the distinctive features of this typology. Kiwoyo/Giwoyo masks were worn tilted on the top of the head; the Smithsonian keeps comparable specimens and describes this chin-extension as characteristic of the type.
The numerous old perforations arranged around the entire circumference allowed the attachment of fibers and raffia now absent. They, like the edges, show significant wear, consistent with the use of the object.
The reverse retains an old handwritten label bearing the inscription “PENDÉ MBUYA”.
Beautiful old patina, pigments heavily abraded, cracks and small peripheral losses related to age and use. The whole possesses a strong presence, notably thanks to its remarkable sculptural profile.
Proposed dating: early third of the 20th century.
Dimensions: 34 × 17.5 cm.
Materials: carved wood, pigments.
Origin: western Pende, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Old label “PENDÉ MBUYA” kept on the reverse.
Base not included
Mask Mbuya Kiwoyo-Muyombo – Pende – RD Congo – antique
Important and authentic Mbuya dance mask of the western Pende, of the Kiwoyo-Muyombo (Giwoyo) type,
Carved in light wood, the mask shows the classic features of Pende aesthetics: strongly projected forehead, M-shaped eyebrow line, narrow half-closed eyes, upturned nose, mouth slightly open revealing teeth and parallel scarifications on the cheeks. An old brown-red, black and white polychromy, probably containing kaolin, largely persists despite a handsome wear from use.
The long sculpted extension under the chin is one of the distinctive features of this typology. Kiwoyo/Giwoyo masks were worn tilted on the top of the head; the Smithsonian keeps comparable specimens and describes this chin-extension as characteristic of the type.
The numerous old perforations arranged around the entire circumference allowed the attachment of fibers and raffia now absent. They, like the edges, show significant wear, consistent with the use of the object.
The reverse retains an old handwritten label bearing the inscription “PENDÉ MBUYA”.
Beautiful old patina, pigments heavily abraded, cracks and small peripheral losses related to age and use. The whole possesses a strong presence, notably thanks to its remarkable sculptural profile.
Proposed dating: early third of the 20th century.
Dimensions: 34 × 17.5 cm.
Materials: carved wood, pigments.
Origin: western Pende, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Old label “PENDÉ MBUYA” kept on the reverse.
Base not included
Details
Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Material
Wood
Country of origin
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Ethnic group/culture
Pende
Height
34 cm
Indigenous object name
Mbuya Kiwoyo-Muyombo
Width
17.5 cm
Sold with stand
No
Estimated period
1920-1930
