Zemanek-Münster

Anthropomorphic face mask "kifwebe"

D. R. Congo, Luba
sold EUR 3,600
Provenance
Paul Timmermans, Diepenbeek, Belgium
René David, Zurich, Switzerland (1965)
Harald & Ursula Suhr, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada / Germany (1979)
Size
H: 33 cm
H: 13.0 inch

Description

wood, red, white and black paint, of hollowed round form, narrow slit eyes, entirely coated with curved concentric grooves, pierced around the rim, min. dam., minor missing parts, fissures, traces of abrasion;
such masks are said to be incarnations of bizarre heterogenic beings. The grooves symbolize animals with striped skin, like porcupines, zebras or antelopes. The round masks were especially danced at funerals of important persons.


Comparing literature

Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p.158, ill. 76

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