Luba-Hemba, Dem. Rep. of Congo: Large ‘Soko mutu’ ape mask.
The Luba-Hemba in eastern Congo referred to two varieties of these ape masks as ‘Soko mutu’. On the one hand, small masks of this type exist, with a flat back. These are not worn as face masks, but preserved or hung in houses as protective amulets. On the other hand, there are also large ‘Soko mutu’ masks, such as the present one, which are actually worn as face masks and used in costume dances. The present large ‘Soko mutu’ face mask is a good, old example of the latter type, the ‘dancing’ face masks: made of hard wood and dyed black on the front. With typical, large, ‘laughing’ mouth, high eyebrow arches, slit ‘coffee bean eyes’, long nose and traces of relief decoration on both cheeks as well as on the forehead. In the middle, above the forehead, is a hole for 'magic substances'. A 'classic' old piece with very good usage patina. Minor age damage (minor tears, some small old pieces broken off on the back rim). First half of the 20th century; H: 24 cm. (ME)
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
24.03.2014 - 16:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 3,200.- to EUR 3,600.-
Luba-Hemba, Dem. Rep. of Congo: Large ‘Soko mutu’ ape mask.
The Luba-Hemba in eastern Congo referred to two varieties of these ape masks as ‘Soko mutu’. On the one hand, small masks of this type exist, with a flat back. These are not worn as face masks, but preserved or hung in houses as protective amulets. On the other hand, there are also large ‘Soko mutu’ masks, such as the present one, which are actually worn as face masks and used in costume dances. The present large ‘Soko mutu’ face mask is a good, old example of the latter type, the ‘dancing’ face masks: made of hard wood and dyed black on the front. With typical, large, ‘laughing’ mouth, high eyebrow arches, slit ‘coffee bean eyes’, long nose and traces of relief decoration on both cheeks as well as on the forehead. In the middle, above the forehead, is a hole for 'magic substances'. A 'classic' old piece with very good usage patina. Minor age damage (minor tears, some small old pieces broken off on the back rim). First half of the 20th century; H: 24 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: | 24.03.2014 - 16:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 18.03. - 24.03.2014 |