Face mask "nkaki" or "mfondo" · D. R. Congo, Lwalwa · ID: 3034828
sold
EUR 2,500
Size
H: 32 cm
H: 12.6 inch
Description
wood, reddish brown and dark brown patina, kaolin, concave vaulted facial plane, prominent nose bridge, slightly dam. (nose tip, mouth), cracks and minor missing pieces at the rim backside, paint rubbed off, socle;
aside of the female “mushika” or “kashika” mask, which is characterized by a crested hairdo, there can be divided two types of male masks: “nkaki” and “mfondo”. They are quite similar in design and can only be distinguished by the nose profile, which is said to be connected with special types of bird beaks.
Comparing literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 85