Yaka (or Bayaka), Dem. Rep. of Congo: An old hand mask with hat-like crest.
These helmet or pull-on masks, held by hand with a thick handle before the dancer’s face, are used among the Yaka (and also among their neighbours, the Suku) in southwest Congo during initiation rituals. The present Yaka mask is visibly very old. Carved in light-coloured, lightweight wood, and dyed dark brown, white (kaolin) and red (redwood powder). Its ‘hat’, which is also dyed, consists of a rim, three towering ‘lobes’ and a central rod. All made of fabric and trimmed with leather. Although the hanging made from desiccated, light-coloured, long plant fibres is not new, it was probably – considering the mask’s advanced age – replaced or repaired at a later stage. An object with very good, old usage patina and age-related damage (an original repair above the forehead to the right). First third of the 20th century, or earlier; H: 72 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 565. F: on black.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 4,800.- to EUR 5,400.-
Yaka (or Bayaka), Dem. Rep. of Congo: An old hand mask with hat-like crest.
These helmet or pull-on masks, held by hand with a thick handle before the dancer’s face, are used among the Yaka (and also among their neighbours, the Suku) in southwest Congo during initiation rituals. The present Yaka mask is visibly very old. Carved in light-coloured, lightweight wood, and dyed dark brown, white (kaolin) and red (redwood powder). Its ‘hat’, which is also dyed, consists of a rim, three towering ‘lobes’ and a central rod. All made of fabric and trimmed with leather. Although the hanging made from desiccated, light-coloured, long plant fibres is not new, it was probably – considering the mask’s advanced age – replaced or repaired at a later stage. An object with very good, old usage patina and age-related damage (an original repair above the forehead to the right). First third of the 20th century, or earlier; H: 72 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 565. F: on black.
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 |