Mask "ndeemba" · D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3044172

Name: Mask "ndeemba"
SKU: 3044172
Availability: Discontinued

not available anymore

Provenance

Rob Vervoort, Molenstede-Diest, Belgium
Emmanuel Ameloot, Brussels, Belgium
Belgian Private Collection, Brussels

Size

41,5 cm

16.3 inch

Description

wood, plant fibre, pigment, base

The small mask face is worked on paddle shaped handle. The bonnet is made of extremely fine woven fibre with four raised cone forms and shows remains of accurate ornamental painting.

The mask was used in context of initiation “mukhanda”, that includes circumcision rituals. To mark the end of the educational period, festivities are held in which the initiates perform with newly carved masks. The dance of the masks is accompanied by chants confirming the male supremacy and the social rank of the young men.

The object Mask “ndeemba” with the object ID 3044172 was last part of the auction 89th Tribal Art Auction at July 7, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 475.

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.