Male mask "cihongo" · D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3040291
not available anymore
Provenance
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, BelgiumSize
H: 20,5 cm
H: 8.1 inch
Description
wood, partly encrusted patina, polychrome paint, characteristic for the male type is the broad, teeth revealing mouth, as well as the disc-shaped protruding beard, dam., missing parts (beard, side), cracks, base;
the male spirit “cihongo” symbolizes strength and abundance; in former times the masks were exclusively worn by the chief or one of his sons and were responsible for criminal justice and social control.