Lwena Mask, Luvale Or Lovale Mbunda, Angola Zambia Or Zaire

The Lwena Bantu people settled in Zambia (Angola) in the 19th century, under threat from the Chokwe. According to Wikipedia, they have many names: Balovale, Baluvale, Chiluvale, Louvale, Lovale, Lovalle, Lubale, Luena, Luvales, Luwale, Lwena, Valuvale! But they are a small ethnic group that is quite rare in collections, here is a very characteristic mask with this large realistic stretched face, the eyes and the mouth quite thin, probably representing the Western settlers stationed at the beginning of the last century. We find these same facial features on a Lwena mask from the German collection of Peter Loebarth (last photo). Note the beautiful brown patina and the significant traces of use, internal and external. Height 30 cm. Former Belgian collection Serge Sheer,