Mask "nsembu" · D. R. Congo, Kumu · ID: 3031444
Description
wood, reddish brown patina, green paint, reduced form, old collection number in white paint backside: “FX96372”, small traces of insect caused damage, fissure backside, on metal base;
the Kumu live in the northeastern Zaire, south of the Ituri rainforest. The most important objects are their masks called “nsembu”, which are used by the “nkunda” society of sorcerers and sooth sayers. Male and female pairs appear separate or on panels together. They are used by the “nkunda” society of sorcerers who call upon the primordial ancestors for purposes of social control.
The object Mask “nsembu” with the object ID 3031444 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 407.
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
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brüssel 1987, p. 65
Exhibition
Congo Gallery, J. Fiess et Marc Felix, "La face cachée des masques", 27 janvier - 25 mars 2006, Bruxelles, Belgium