Mask - Wood - Songye - Congo DRC

A very sensuous ecrusted SONGYE mask reddish wood , dark gray oofered patina.

H= 25 cm , 36 cm o the stand. Some chip sof wood missing on the back around the rim and in the lower part (see pictures)

Provenance: Gaethan Schoonbroodt collection, Verviers..

The combination of Luba and Songye styles is typical for the border region between both people and has historic roots.
According to Kerchache (1993: 576) : "The history of the [Songye] is closely linked to the Luba's, to whom they are related through common ancestors. According to tradition, Kongolo, the founder of the first Luba empire in the sixteenth century, was a [Songye]."

Songye people where usually members of the secret Kifwebe association and used all kind of paraphernalia symbol objects.

This type of small female Kifwebe masks is rarely seen.

Ex Belgian Congo before 1940.