Mask dancer "cikunza" · D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3039749
Description
wood, dark brown patina, polychrome paint, rep. (breakage left foot), slight traces of abrasion, metal plate;
“cikunza” is the master of the “mukanda” initiation society. He embodies both religious beliefs and chiefly power and is associated with notions of virility and fertility. Such figures may have been placed on the path to the initiates’ camp.
The object Mask dancer “cikunza” with the object ID 3039749 was last part of the auction 82nd Tribal Art Auction at February 27, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 461 achieved a sales price of EUR 350.
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
Bastin, Marie-Louise, La sculpture Tshokwe, Gossau 1982, p. 84, ill. 23