Wooden mask - Songye - DR Congo
04
days
21
hours
26
minutes
02
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 380 - € 430
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143856 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Wooden mask titled Maschera in legno, a Kilume male Kifwebe of the Songye people from the Republic of Congo, dating to the mid/late 20th century, authentic/original, with dimensions 42 cm high, 26 cm wide, 20 cm deep and weighing 930 g, provenance from an antique market.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Male Kifwebe (Kilume) mask – Songye People (Kalebwe Subgroup), D.R. Congo
Carved wooden sculpture with a cubist/expressive structure featuring deep incised grooves (striae), characterized by a high sagittal frontal crest, protruding globular eyes with horizontal slits, and a squared, protruding mouth. The work retains traditional opaque polychromy with white pigment (kaolin) alternating with the dark striations of the wood and the patina of use.
The prominent central crest that runs along the forehead identifies this specimen as a male mask (Kilume) attributed to the Kalebwe sub-regional style (Lomami Province, D.R. Congo). The rear hollow shows clear signs of hand carving with an axe and peripheral holes for fixing the ritual costume in raffia fiber.
Among the Songye (and Luba) peoples, the Kifwebe mask (plural Bwifwebe) is not only an aesthetic object, but the visual and spiritual embodiment of the secret male confraternity of the same name (Bwadi bwa Kifwebe).
Technical Features
• Culture / Ethnicity: Songye (Kalebwe Subgroup / Lomami Region)
• Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
• Type: Ceremonial male mask Kilume (Bwadi bwa Kifwebe)
• Era: Mid/Late 20th century (ca. 1950/1970–2000)
• Materials: Carved wood, natural mineral pigments (kaolin/black earth), patina of use
• Dimensions: Height 42 cm × Width 26 cm × Depth 20 cm
Item shipped with courier and insured.
Male Kifwebe (Kilume) mask – Songye People (Kalebwe Subgroup), D.R. Congo
Carved wooden sculpture with a cubist/expressive structure featuring deep incised grooves (striae), characterized by a high sagittal frontal crest, protruding globular eyes with horizontal slits, and a squared, protruding mouth. The work retains traditional opaque polychromy with white pigment (kaolin) alternating with the dark striations of the wood and the patina of use.
The prominent central crest that runs along the forehead identifies this specimen as a male mask (Kilume) attributed to the Kalebwe sub-regional style (Lomami Province, D.R. Congo). The rear hollow shows clear signs of hand carving with an axe and peripheral holes for fixing the ritual costume in raffia fiber.
Among the Songye (and Luba) peoples, the Kifwebe mask (plural Bwifwebe) is not only an aesthetic object, but the visual and spiritual embodiment of the secret male confraternity of the same name (Bwadi bwa Kifwebe).
Technical Features
• Culture / Ethnicity: Songye (Kalebwe Subgroup / Lomami Region)
• Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire)
• Type: Ceremonial male mask Kilume (Bwadi bwa Kifwebe)
• Era: Mid/Late 20th century (ca. 1950/1970–2000)
• Materials: Carved wood, natural mineral pigments (kaolin/black earth), patina of use
• Dimensions: Height 42 cm × Width 26 cm × Depth 20 cm
Item shipped with courier and insured.
Details
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Songye
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Wooden mask
Height
42 cm
Width
26 cm
Depth
20 cm
Weight
930 g
Provenance
Antique market
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
