Helmet mask "hemba" · D. R. Congo, Suku · ID: 3042614
Hans Petereit, Cologne, Germany
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, crowned by a quadruped, plant fibre cuff missing, rep. (breakage left horn of the quadruped), missing parts, traces of insect caused damage, paint rubbed off, fine cracks.
The “hemba” mask was first danced within the initiation camp. A notable of the village had previously treated the mask with a concoction of powerful ingredients and the blood of a cock had been sprinkled over it. Additional charms are placed inside the mask or attached to its shaggy fringe that would “shoot” any witch who might attempt to harm the dancer.
The object Helmet mask “hemba” with the object ID 3042614 was last part of the auction 87th Tribal Art Auction at November 11, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 469.
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Comparing literature
Herreman, Frank & Constantijn Petridis (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 50, ill. 2