The Ngbaka live in the north-west region of the Congo, along the Ubangi River. Their mask figures appear at initiation rituals. The present Ngbaka mask is carved from lightweight, light-coloured wood. The face area is dyed black, or, more precisely, it was originally coated with a black, shiny layer. Due to the unusually great age of the mask, parts of this black coating have already flaked off. The oval mask head is slightly concave and curves inwards in the lower section of the face. Only the large, open mouth, with four teeth carved out from the same piece, protrudes forward. The vertical lines of the typical tribal decorative scarification marks, short, transverse, and accentuated in lighter colour, run from the top of the head over the forehead and along the nose. This type of scarification tattoos were earlier worn by Nbaka men traditionally in real life. Small, round eyes are set close to the short, thick nose. The shiny, party encrusted patina on the partially flaked-off black coating is noteworthy on this mask. This patina indicates an unusually great age for this object. Also on the back, on the inside, this Ngbaka mask displays an old patina on the correct, shiny areas, as well as noticeable traces of use at the holes for fastening the mask costume. On the back rim, right at the top, is an old original repair with black tree resin and a nail. In addition to the already mentioned colour abrasion and dented edges due to age, there is no appreciable damage. An unusually old mask that is striking due to its pure expressiveness.
Height: 22 cm; width: c. 16 cm.
Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian collection.