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Lot No. 116

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Songye, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A 'Kifwebe' mask of the Songye, ‘relatives’ of the Luba in Southeast Congo.

Lot No. 116

Songye, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A 'Kifwebe' mask of the Songye, ‘relatives’ of the Luba in Southeast Congo.


Songye, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A 'Kifwebe' mask of the Songye, ‘relatives’ of the Luba in Southeast Congo. - Tribal Art

This mask type of the male secret society 'Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe' appears in full-length costume of bast threads at initiations, funerals and also acts as a kind of police. The present mask is of the 'classic' type, with projecting mouth and eyes. The tall crest shows that the object is a 'male' mask. The entire face is decorated with stripes showing traces of the original red, black and white paintwork. Remnants of a long raffia beard, net and braid covering the back of the masked dancer. Fine old usage patina to the inside and outside. Visible damage owing to age at bottom edge and left eye of the mask (pieces broken off). One original repair to the left cheek. First half of the 20th century, H: 48 cm (without beard and net). (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

24.03.2014 - 16:00

Estimate:
EUR 2,600.- to EUR 2,800.-

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Songye, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A 'Kifwebe' mask of the Songye, ‘relatives’ of the Luba in Southeast Congo.


This mask type of the male secret society 'Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe' appears in full-length costume of bast threads at initiations, funerals and also acts as a kind of police. The present mask is of the 'classic' type, with projecting mouth and eyes. The tall crest shows that the object is a 'male' mask. The entire face is decorated with stripes showing traces of the original red, black and white paintwork. Remnants of a long raffia beard, net and braid covering the back of the masked dancer. Fine old usage patina to the inside and outside. Visible damage owing to age at bottom edge and left eye of the mask (pieces broken off). One original repair to the left cheek. First half of the 20th century, H: 48 cm (without beard and net). (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

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kundendienst@dorotheum.at
+43 1 515 60 200
Auction: Tribal Art
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 24.03.2014 - 16:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 18.03. - 24.03.2014