Mask "kifwebe" · D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3033261
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland
René David, Zurich, Switzerland
Harald & Ursula Suhr, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada / Germany (1979)
Description
wood, black, white and red paint, typical form with bulging forehead and concave vaulted facial plane, entirely coated with grooves, pierced around the rim, rest. (crack), min. dam., minor missing parts through insect caused damage, slight traces of abrasion;
dense parallel striations on the face and the lack of a comb prove that this mask is of female type “kikashi”. They represent positive powers and are mainly used at masquerades taking place at night, for example at important moon ceremonies, or in case of the death of chief.
The object Mask “kifwebe” with the object ID 3033261 was part of the auction 70th tribal art auction on September 8, 2012. The object with the lot number 177 achieved a sales price of EUR 7,500 with an asking price of EUR 5,000.
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