Mask ·  D. R. Congo, Lualwa/Lwalwa · ID: 3032691

Description

wood, spotty brown patina, white pigment remains, convex facial plane, eyes and chin accentuated by white pigment, pierced around the rim, rep., traces of insect caused damage, minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
masks of the Lualwa are all used in the “bangongo” dance to quiet the spirits, increase hunting success, and initiate “bangongo” society dancers. They sometimes perform at funerals of high ranking dignitaries. They are danced only at night, so as not to harm women.

The object Mask with the object ID 3032691 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 404.

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

Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brüssel 1987, p. 94