Rare pig mask "ngulu" · D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3040545
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of black paint, of slender form with open mouth, bonnet made from rattan, plant fibre and cloth on the back, min. dam., fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
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 3040545 was last part of the auction 83rd Tribal Art Auction at May 28, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 382.
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Comparing literature
Bastin, Marie-Louise, La sculpture Tshokwe, Gossau 1982, p. 86 f.