Rare mask
D. R. Congo, Lengola
sold
EUR 1,500
Provenance
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, BelgiumSize
H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch
Description
elephant hide, white pigment, coloured glass beads, fabric,
Extremely expressive object, in which the magical charge in the form of two fabric packages, as well as the original bead jewellery, are still preserved.
The object reminds of extremely secret face masks manufactured in animal hide which are worn by high-ranking members of the “elanda society”.This association occurs among the Bembe and some of the adjoining Eastern Lega groups.
Comparing literature
Felix, Marc Leo, Masks in Congo, Hong Kong 2016, p. 271Notices
This object is subject to CITES. Please note that it can only be sent within the European Union. At the present time export in third countries is prohibited, respectively, export licenses in third countries for objects containing or made of protected materials are only granted under stringent conditions.