Zemanek-Münster

Anthropomorphic mask "mbuya" ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3048196

sold EUR 1,800
Provenance
Mia Blondeau, Antwerp, Belgium
Christie’s, Paris, 4 December 2008, Lot 185
Size
H: 46,5 cm
H: 18.3 inch

Description

wood, colour pigments, raffia fibre, base

The Pende use masks “muya” that appear at festivities to entertain the village community. They embody different characters of the Pende society and appear in a wide range of variations.

This mask could be an embodiment of the executioner “pumbu” or a chief’s mask “fumu”. Both mask types show a very similar physiognomy and both wear hairstyles with conical protruding prongs.


The object Anthropomorphic mask “mbuya” with the object ID 3048196 was part of the auction 97th Auction on November 6, 2021. The object with the lot number 339 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,800 with an asking price of EUR 1,500.

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.


Publications

AHDRC: 0037496


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