Ngbaka, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A mask worn during the initiations of young Ngbaka men.
It is a typical, old mask of the ‘dagara’ type. It is worn by the Ngbaka in northwestern Congo at the end of initiation rituals. The cult leader of the ‘Gaza association’, dressed as a masked being in full body costume and a ‘dagara mask’, brings the young initiates back to their villages as fully fledged adults, after their stay in the isolated bush camp. The present, almost round 'Dagara-mask' is carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood. It has a concave, inwardly curving face under the two grooved lines of the eyebrow arches. The slightly curved nose bears an indentation just before the tip. The small mouth is open and goes through the wood. The wide rim of the mask and the nasal bridge are of dark brown colour. There are traces of an originally white kaolin coating in the grooves of the eyebrows and in the concave face area (some has rubbed off over time). It is a simple and well-crafted, beautiful object. It has a good and partly shiny usage patina on the front and back. No damage. Height: 27 cm; first half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Giuliani Collection, Italy & Congo, Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.:
'Initiés. Bassin du Congo', Musée Dapper catalogue, Paris, ill. s. 39.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
09.06.2016 - 17:00
- Prezzo di partenza:
-
EUR 1.200,-
Ngbaka, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A mask worn during the initiations of young Ngbaka men.
It is a typical, old mask of the ‘dagara’ type. It is worn by the Ngbaka in northwestern Congo at the end of initiation rituals. The cult leader of the ‘Gaza association’, dressed as a masked being in full body costume and a ‘dagara mask’, brings the young initiates back to their villages as fully fledged adults, after their stay in the isolated bush camp. The present, almost round 'Dagara-mask' is carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood. It has a concave, inwardly curving face under the two grooved lines of the eyebrow arches. The slightly curved nose bears an indentation just before the tip. The small mouth is open and goes through the wood. The wide rim of the mask and the nasal bridge are of dark brown colour. There are traces of an originally white kaolin coating in the grooves of the eyebrows and in the concave face area (some has rubbed off over time). It is a simple and well-crafted, beautiful object. It has a good and partly shiny usage patina on the front and back. No damage. Height: 27 cm; first half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Giuliani Collection, Italy & Congo, Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.:
'Initiés. Bassin du Congo', Musée Dapper catalogue, Paris, ill. s. 39.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Asta: | Tribal Art - Africa |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 09.06.2016 - 17:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 04.06. - 09.06.2016 |