Luba (or Baluba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: a ‘kifwebe mask’ in the typical Luga style.
The Luba, in south-east Congo, also have a male secret society, called ‘bwadi bwa kifwebe’, which mainly carries out policing functions of the tribe, with such ‘kifwebe masks’. Similar to their southern neighbours, the Songye. But the ‘kifwebe masks’ of the Luba are more angular, flatter and more ‘cubistic’ than those of the Songye.
The present, old ‘kifwebe mask’ of the Luba displays this square, planar style noticeably: carved of relatively lightweight, light-coloured wood in angular surfaces, coloured white (by means of kaolin) and black-dyed. It represents the ‘male’ type, with a crest that projects from the top of the head over the protruding nose (‘female’ type: without crest). Also the square mouth protrudes far forward, as with all ‘kifwebe masks’, and the white coloured surfaces feature diagonal and straight chip-carving grooves. A typical, old Luba piece, with age-related colour scuffing to the edges and a small crack to the back rim above. Otherwise no significant damage. Good usage patina on the outside and on the back, inside.
Height: 38 cm; width: 23 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Private collection of Jos Christiaens, Bruges, Belgium.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 2,750.-
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 1,500.-
Luba (or Baluba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: a ‘kifwebe mask’ in the typical Luga style.
The Luba, in south-east Congo, also have a male secret society, called ‘bwadi bwa kifwebe’, which mainly carries out policing functions of the tribe, with such ‘kifwebe masks’. Similar to their southern neighbours, the Songye. But the ‘kifwebe masks’ of the Luba are more angular, flatter and more ‘cubistic’ than those of the Songye.
The present, old ‘kifwebe mask’ of the Luba displays this square, planar style noticeably: carved of relatively lightweight, light-coloured wood in angular surfaces, coloured white (by means of kaolin) and black-dyed. It represents the ‘male’ type, with a crest that projects from the top of the head over the protruding nose (‘female’ type: without crest). Also the square mouth protrudes far forward, as with all ‘kifwebe masks’, and the white coloured surfaces feature diagonal and straight chip-carving grooves. A typical, old Luba piece, with age-related colour scuffing to the edges and a small crack to the back rim above. Otherwise no significant damage. Good usage patina on the outside and on the back, inside.
Height: 38 cm; width: 23 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Private collection of Jos Christiaens, Bruges, Belgium.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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