Several smaller tribes live in the vast Ituri Rainforest in northeastern Congo, such as the Ndaaka, Lese, Beke, Amba, Baali, Nyali, Mbo and many others. They all have a rich culture of using masks for ritual dances, with mask types being very similar and often difficult to tell apart from one another. Mostly oval-shaped faces, with very simple and clear designs, and dyed different colours. As a result of the difficulties telling them apart, the general term ‘Ituri masks’ is often used for masks from this region. Old, authentic ‘Ituri masks’ are rare and sought-after on the tribal art market.
The present ‘Ituri mask’ probably originates from the Ndaaka pygmies. Carved from hard wood with a long oval face, edged coffee bean eyes, a long broad nose from the forehead downwards, round ears set forward towards the corners of the eyes and a simple carved open mouth. There are holes around the long, round chin which were used to fasten a beard made of fibres. An old crack to the front of the chin was stitched together in an early original repair using vegetal rattan strips. There is a hairline crack visible to the lower right edge of the mask. Otherwise, no damage.
The entire mask face was originally coloured in white with kaolin clay and now the colour is scuffed due to age. The mask displays a good, noticeable usage patina, particularly to the inner side, on the reverse of the mask. A rare, old piece.
Height: 33 cm; width: 17.5 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian collection.

Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 304; ‘Ituri. Die Verbreitung polychromer Masken in Nordost-Zaire’ by Marc L. Felix, p. 153.