Helmet mask "bwoom" ·  D. R. Congo, Kuba · ID: 3032262

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, painted with geometrical pattern, typical coiffure, min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
as one of the three royal masks, “bwoom” belongs to the oldest mask types of the Kuba. Apart from funerals “bwoom” appears at several ceremonies, always changing his meaning according to the context he is used: during the initiation of the boys he represents the spirit “ngeesh”. Within the three royal masks he represents “bwoom”, an oppositional and unruly character fighting against his brother for his wife and sister “ngaady a mwaash” and for the leadership. The insurgent aspect of the “bwoom” mask figure is expressed by the aggressive dance style.

The object Helmet mask “bwoom” with the object ID 3032262 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 220 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,000.

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.

Exhibition

Arts d'Afrique et d'Oceanie, Cannes 6. Juli - 29. September 1957, Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, Kunsthaus Zürich, 31. Oktober 1970 - 10. Februar 1971