Rare pig mask "ngulu" · D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3039125
Description
wood, brown patina, decoration tag, incised scarifications accentuated by red pigment, remains of a bonnet from animal skin on the back, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
the dancer generally performs on all fours, imitating the pig’s behaviour, poking about with its snout, scratching itself and trampling around clumsily.
The dance masks are used by itinerant dancers, who keep them in a basket. After the performance, the dancers receive gifts in return for the magical strength which they have dispensed to the community.
The object Rare pig mask “ngulu” with the object ID 3039125 was last part of the auction 81st Tribal Art Auction at October 31, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 430 achieved a sales price of EUR 750.
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Expertise
L'Impasse St Jacques Arts Primitifs, Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels
Comparing literature
Bastin, Marie-Louise, La sculpture Tshokwe, Gossau 1982, p. 86 f.