Helmet mask "bwoom" · D. R. Congo, Kuba · ID: 3037783
Description
wood, polychrome paint, painted with geometrical pattern, typical coiffure, dam., missing part (top of the head), cracks, slight traces of insect caused damage and abrasion, base;
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 3037783 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 434 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,900.
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Comparing literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, p. 83