Mask "mbuya" · D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3032878
Sepp Arnemann, Hamburg, Germany
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, a bonnet and a chin beard made from raffia bast and plant fibres, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, on base;
masks of the Pende were used to worship the chief and for initiation rites or for sacred purposes of the priests. In particular, this artist has captured the “bedroom eyes” (“zanze”) believed essential to women’s power over men. The eyes are relatively small in size and the upper lids curve downwards to create the impression that they are nearly closed.
The object Mask “mbuya” with the object ID 3032878 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 150.
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Comparing literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 65