Helmet mask ·  D. R. Congo, Bindji · ID: 3034058

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, polychrome paint, of voluminous form with bulging forehead and a bulky nose, a small hole with cord underneath the nose for fixing the mask with the teeth, knob-shaped crowning, pierced around the rim, min. dam., traces of abrasion;
the Bindji are very well known for their elaborate carved pipes and their powerful helmet masks “tshibangabanga” which are very similar to the “bwoom” masks of the Kuba. They are worn by the master of initiation camp.

The object Helmet mask with the object ID 3034058 was last part of the auction 71st tribal art auction at November 24, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 364.

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.

Comparing literature

Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture, München 2009, p. 106