Hat "mpu a nzim" ·  D. R. Congo, Mbala · ID: 3035621

Description

fiber netting, with raffia rim, adorned with clusters and rows of “nzimbu” shells (“Olivancillaria”), some shells missing (zigzag-pattern);
this type of hat was worn by chiefs and high dignitaries. They may not expose themself to the sun. The hat seems to be an imitation of the crested “mikor” coiffure adorned with small shells. The “nzimbu” shells were traded in a large area of southwestern Zaire and used as exchange media and as ornaments on status emblems.

The object Hat “mpu a nzim” with the object ID 3035621 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 379.

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Comparing literature

Biebuyck, Daniel P. & Nelly van den Abbeele, The Power of Headdresses, Brussels 1984, p. 74, ill. 24