The small tribe of the Bangabanga (c. 100,000 people) lives in southeastern Congo, to the west of Lake Tanganyika. Characteristic of their very simple and stylised masks is mostly their dot decoration. The present Bangabanga mask is carved out of lightweight, light-coloured wood and clearly displays this unique stylistic feature. The light brown mask face is completely covered with round, dark dots. These dots are caused by branding. A glowing hot, round iron rod is pushed into the outer surface of the mask. In addition, this Bangabanga piece has a hairstyle coloured dark brown, and a broad band, also coloured dark brown, separated from the face by a chip-carving line (a beard?). Both ears are - corresponding to the Bangabanga style - pushed far forwards onto the front of the face, and in the small, rectangular, open mouth four dark-coloured wooden teeth are inserted. Overall a perfect, old, and complete example, with good, slightly shiny usage patina (especially at the back inside) and no damage. Bangabanga masks are very rare, not only on the market but also in European and American collections. H: 29 cm; W: 21.5 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Purchased by an Austrian diplomat and collector ‘in situ’ in southern Congo; Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.: ‘Afrika. Die Kunst eines Kontinents' by T. Phillips, p. 165, 166; 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, fig. p. 72.