A Kongo-Yombe Mask...

Description

A Kongo-Yombe Mask
Western region, Democratic Republic of Congo, c. early 20th century

This finely carved Yombe mask is distinguished by its naturalistic treatment of the human visage. The smooth planes of the face are coated in a dense, lustrous black pigment that accentuates the harmonious oval form. A neat row of small metal tacks is set in a row at the middle of the forehead, adding both texture and brilliance to the surface. A transversely crested coiffure. The open mouth reveals filed incisors, a traditional mark of beauty and social identity in the Lower Congo. In very good condition. With a metal stand.

Masks of this type were used in Kongo-region masquerades that dramatized the presence of spirits and ancestors, often in rituals of judgment, healing, or initiation. The Yombe in particular are renowned for their precise naturalism, here evident in the delicately arched unibrow, finely curved nose, and balanced symmetry of the face. The restrained elegance of this example, combined with the unusual embellishment of tacks on the forehead, marks it as a rare and sophisticated work within the corpus of Yombe masking traditions.

Provenance:
Private Collection, Belgium
Lucien Van de Velde, Antwerp Belgium
Sotheby's New York, November 11, 2005 Lot 106

Height: 9 ¼ inches

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