"Kifwebe Mask Songye / Luba Culture, Zaire Democratic Republic Of Congo"
Kifwebe MASKSongye / Luba culture, Zaire Democratic Republic of the Congo
First half of the 20th century
Wood, pigments and horsehair
H. 67; L 36 cm
A monoxyle wooden mask sculpted in a very expressive manner: its forehead is marked by a large crest that tapers to form a nasal ridge with two openwork nostrils lined with horsehair tufts; its prominent mouth ends in a square marked with an X-shaped cross, seeming to express a hissing sound; its large eyes observe large openwork half-moon-shaped eyelids.
The entire mask is punctuated with striations, enhanced with brown, red ochre and kaolin pigments.
On base.
This mask was danced during initiation rituals.
Old restoration.
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON
Ref. LP4797
Le Magazine de PROANTIC
TRÉSORS Magazine
Rivista Artiquariato