Helmet ask "muluala" · D. R. Congo, Biombo · ID: 3038896
Description
wood, polychrome paint, conical-shaped protruding eyes with metal tag pupils, scarification marks in tribe-typical triangular pattern, repeated at the coiffure, knob-like appendage, plant fibre cuff around the lower rim, dam., rep. (metal clamps on the left side), small missing parts, cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
the mask “muluala” with chameleon eyes was used at funerals of important clan members and is also seen among the Kete-Kuba and Bushoong.
The object Helmet ask “muluala” with the object ID 3038896 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 415.
Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.
Comparing literature
Isler, Andreas u.a., Einblicke - Durchblicke - Ausblicke, Burgdorf 1995, p. 52