Lualwa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola: A large, ‘classic’ mask of the Lualwa.
The Lualwa live on the border between Congo and Angola. Their ‘nkaki’ masks are renowned for the ‘Greek’ profile of their noses. ‘Nkaki’ masks belong to the ‘Bangongo’ secret society of the Lualwa men. They dance with it in order to appease evil spirits, for lucky hunts, at initiations and during the funerals of important personalities. Yet ‘nkaki’ masks dance only at night - in order to avoid frightening the women! The present, large ‘nkaki’ mask demonstrates the ‘classic’ type: carved from brown, heavy wood. The helmet-like hairstyle, offset upwards and structured with chip-carved spikes and lines, is of a dark brown colour. Characteristic of the ‘Lualwa’ are: the concave face, bulging inwards, with slit eyes, the large, ‘Greek’ nose, the small mouth with the raised lips and the pointed, protruding chin. A perfect example of a ‘nkaki’ mask of the Lualwa. With good usage patina on the front and on the back, as well as with age-related damage (cracks and an old fracture on the back rim). First half of the 20th century; h: 38 cm. (ME)
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 6,000.- to EUR 8,000.-
Lualwa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola: A large, ‘classic’ mask of the Lualwa.
The Lualwa live on the border between Congo and Angola. Their ‘nkaki’ masks are renowned for the ‘Greek’ profile of their noses. ‘Nkaki’ masks belong to the ‘Bangongo’ secret society of the Lualwa men. They dance with it in order to appease evil spirits, for lucky hunts, at initiations and during the funerals of important personalities. Yet ‘nkaki’ masks dance only at night - in order to avoid frightening the women! The present, large ‘nkaki’ mask demonstrates the ‘classic’ type: carved from brown, heavy wood. The helmet-like hairstyle, offset upwards and structured with chip-carved spikes and lines, is of a dark brown colour. Characteristic of the ‘Lualwa’ are: the concave face, bulging inwards, with slit eyes, the large, ‘Greek’ nose, the small mouth with the raised lips and the pointed, protruding chin. A perfect example of a ‘nkaki’ mask of the Lualwa. With good usage patina on the front and on the back, as well as with age-related damage (cracks and an old fracture on the back rim). First half of the 20th century; h: 38 cm. (ME)
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: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |