Yaka (or Bayaka), Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola: A typical helmet mask of the Yaka, with a textile crest and a big plant fibre 'beard'.
Yaka (or Bayaka), Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola: A typical helmet mask of the Yaka, with a textile crest and a big plant fibre 'beard'.
A Yaka helmet mask from the border region between Southwest Congo and Angola. The facial part of the mask is carved from hard wood and represents a bird face with framed big eyes and short curved beak (an owl perhaps). Carved together with this face, is a strong, round hilt underneath. It is where the dance holds mask and peeks through from under the fibre beard. Montaged above it and onto the facial part is a second wooden helmet with two side horns. This helmet crest consists of connected struts, covered with dried leaves and dressed in fabric. As is typical for the Yaka patters, the helmet and horns are executed in stripes, rhomboids, stretches and dots, (originally) painted white, red and black. The actual face of the mask, the ‘bird’, is painted red and black overall. The tight, all-round 'beard’ attached to the mask consists of dried light brown plant fibres. An original, old piece, with good usage patina on the inside of the wooden part of the mask and especially on the hilt. No damage. Height: c. 63 cm (from the crest point to the end of the hilt below). First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Belgian Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
09.06.2016 - 17:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 2,500.-
Yaka (or Bayaka), Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola: A typical helmet mask of the Yaka, with a textile crest and a big plant fibre 'beard'.
A Yaka helmet mask from the border region between Southwest Congo and Angola. The facial part of the mask is carved from hard wood and represents a bird face with framed big eyes and short curved beak (an owl perhaps). Carved together with this face, is a strong, round hilt underneath. It is where the dance holds mask and peeks through from under the fibre beard. Montaged above it and onto the facial part is a second wooden helmet with two side horns. This helmet crest consists of connected struts, covered with dried leaves and dressed in fabric. As is typical for the Yaka patters, the helmet and horns are executed in stripes, rhomboids, stretches and dots, (originally) painted white, red and black. The actual face of the mask, the ‘bird’, is painted red and black overall. The tight, all-round 'beard’ attached to the mask consists of dried light brown plant fibres. An original, old piece, with good usage patina on the inside of the wooden part of the mask and especially on the hilt. No damage. Height: c. 63 cm (from the crest point to the end of the hilt below). First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Belgian Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art - Africa |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 09.06.2016 - 17:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 04.06. - 09.06.2016 |