Anthropomorphic face mask ·  D. R. Congo, Ubangi, Bwaka (Ngbaka) / Mbanja · ID: 3048915

Description

wood, pigments,

An almost identical mask published in the article H. Burssens “Mask styles and mask use in the north of Zaire”, in: Herreman & Petridis,1993, p. 227 (AHDRC 0036161). See also AHDRC 0036160 and 0144726.

According to Burssens, it can be considered certain, that the Ngbaka have used masks within the scope of initiation and circumcision rituals, called “gaza”, but no uniform style can be discerned.

According to Ngbaka tradition, the practice of circumcision, together with masks and paraphernalia were acquired from the Mbanja, which according to Burssens may indicate, that many Ngbaka masks were created by Mbanja sculptors.

The object Anthropomorphic face mask with the object ID 3048915 was part of the auction 98th Auction on March 26, 2022, lot number 258 at that time and is currently available for EUR 2,500 in Open sale.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Herreman, Frank & Constantijn Petridis (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 227