Lilwa Nkoy Mask, Mbole People, Drc

This mask called "Lilwa Nkoy", and is used by the secret society "Lilwa" at the end of the initiation period of young boys. Mask presenting a face with geometric and minimalist features. The polychromy separates the face into four parts. Black for the bottom, white for the center with the eyes and nose, red above the eyebrows and yellow for the triangular-shaped forehead. The arc-shaped eyes intensify the look and suggest a certain knowledge and wisdom while reinforcing the meaning of the mask within the society of "Lilwa". The Belgian colonial administration tried to ban this secret society in the years 1945-1946, but until now it continues to exist outside the law of the country. This is also one of the reasons for the rarity of these masks because they were hidden and used in very secret ceremonies.
H: 44 cm
Beautiful internal patina and old labels on the back, one of which says in french "Mask of the Bambole / Yongelo chiefdom / Lilwa cult / Yambili carrier"
Mbole people, Opala territory, Democratic Republic of Congo.
First part of the 20th century.
Provenance: collected by Lucien Desmare (1905-1961) before 1950.
Sold with its base