A ‘classical’ mask type of the West Pende from the group of the ‘Mbuya masks’, used in theatrical dances on the occasion of initiations and other feasts.
The present mask is known as ‘Mbuya Phumbu’ (or ‘Mbuya Fumbu’) and depicts a chief. It is easily recognisable on the basis of its hairstyle with four towering plaits. For the rest, it matches the canon of Pende masks: a high, broad, bulging forehead, wide eyebrow arches, eyes with ‘lowered’ lids (so-called ‘bedroom eyes’), a short nose, a small mouth with teeth, and a pointed chin. It also features typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and cheeks. Its characteristic hairstyle and the beard on and around the chin consist of local brown raffia fabric and black-dyed bast.
This typical Pende mask of very hard wood is dyed black on the front and back (the only white parts are the mark on the forehead and the inside on the ears) and shows very good, old usage patina (on the inside!). Only minor colour abrasion.
First half of the 20th century; H: 24 cm (the wood mask alone), 58 cm (in total). (ME)

Provenance: Austrian Collection.

Lit.: 'Afrikanische Kunst - Schätze vom Zaire' by J. Cornet, fig. 54; '100 Peoples from Zaire and their Sculpture' by Leo M. Felix, p. 143, fig. 7; 'Sammlung Clausmeyer - Afrika' by K. Volprecht, fig. 146.