Magnifique masque ancien "pumbu" ou "fumu" ·  R. D. Congo, Pende · ID: 3046991

Description

wood, pigments, raffia bast and cloth,
The Pende distinguish between ritual masks used for initiations, called “mingangii”, and dance masks “mbuya”, which appear at festivities to entertain the village community. They embody different characters or role models of the Pende society and appear in a wide range of variations.

The identification of a specific mask character depends largeley on aspects of the costume, including the headdress and acessories, and the choreography of the dance. Taken out of the ritual context, the exact type of a mask can therefore no longer be clearly determined.

This mask probably belongs to the “pumbu” mask type, which represents the executioner. The upper lip of “pumbus” large mouth rises in what Pende interpret as an expression of anger; he is already to bellow with rage.

During the masked representation, he brandishes a huge double sided knife, formerly used for executions. He simulated anger tantrums and threatens the spectators.

L’objet Magnifique masque ancien “pumbu” ou “fumu” avec l’ID d’objet 3046991 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 95e Vente aux enchères Tribal Art dans 24 octobre 2020 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 288 a atteint un prix de vente de 3 750 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Masques et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 329 Strother, Z.S., Pende, Mailand 2008, Pl. 20

Publications

AHDRC: 0037466