Mask "panya ngombe" · D. R. Congo, Pende, East · ID: 3034766
German Private Collection
Description
wood, polychrome paint, narrowl slit eyes, pointed ears, beard of raphia fibres, pierced around the rim, slight traces of abrasion, metal socle;
the “panya ngombe” mask type makes reference to the wild cow or buffalo, symbol of prestige and high rank. The rarity of this mask type is perhaps attributable to the fact that circumcision - the ritual to which it had originally been closely allied - has not been carried out within the scope of the initiation since the 1930’s. The mask is, however, still reflected in high-relief in the lintel to the door of the chief’s house. In such cases this sign indicates that the owner belongs to the highest class of chiefs.
The object Mask “panya ngombe” with the object ID 3034766 was part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction on May 25, 2013. The object with the lot number 409 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,350 with an asking price of EUR 1,200.
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
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 77