Masque planche de la société "kifwebe" ·  R. D. Congo, Songye · ID: 3042192

Description

wood, brown patina, kaolin, red pigment (backside), lancet-shaped, carved with a small mask face in the style of a characteristic “kifwebe” mask and grooved decor, collection number “FX92299” handwritten in white paint on the backside, drilled hole for suspension, slightly dam., insect caused damage (backside, tip), metal base;
the masking society “bwadi ka bifwebe” possesses various objects adorned with masks (e. g. weaving shuttles, knives, sandals) and shields like the present one, which were hung to a wall or fence, as emblem of the “bifwebe” society.