Mask "pwoom itok" · D. R. Congo, Kuba · ID: 3038480
Ketterer, Munich, 8. November 1980, lot 138
Dieter Eulenburg, Dreieich, Germany
Description
wood, slightly shiny brown patina, kaolin, conical protruding eyes, enclosed by drilled holes, min. dam., small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
this mask type can be found among various Kuba groups, including the Bushoong and the Ngeende. It appears during the young men’s initiation and also performs as a dance mask. It incarnates an old wise man who is consulted by the other dancers.
The object Mask “pwoom itok” with the object ID 3038480 was part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction on June 27, 2015. The object with the lot number 175 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,400 with an asking price of EUR 1,800.
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.
Publications
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Afrikanische Kunst, Kempten 1977, p. 143 f., ill. 168