Mask "muluala" · D. R. Congo, Kete · ID: 3042845
Amos Balash, New York, USA
Mark Eglinton, New York, USA
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, of elongated form with pointed chin, prominent conical-shaped eyes with drilled holes underneath, plant fibre bonnet, min. dam., cracks, paint rubbed off, water spots on the backside, base.
These masks are produced by the southern Bushoong and Northern Kete peoples to represent a male “ngesh” or nature spirit associated with initiation of young men to manhood.
The object Mask “muluala” with the object ID 3042845 was last part of the auction 87th Tribal Art Auction at November 11, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 398.
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Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 57