Mask "pwoom itok" · D. R. Congo, Kuba · ID: 3041275
Lore & Georg Kegel, Hamburg, Germany
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, conical protruding eyes, enclosed by drilled holes, bonnet from raffia, fur and cloth, handwritten collection label “K8” on the backside, min. dam., 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. Among the Bushoong it is worn by members of the “babende” secret society, which is responsible for the apprehension of criminals.
The object Mask “pwoom itok” with the object ID 3041275 was last part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction at November 5, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 406.
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