Kuba (or Bakuba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: A large ‘bwoom mask’.
This large helmet or pull-on mask, called ‘Bwoom’, is one of the three ‘royal mask types’ of the Kuba in central Congo: ‘Mwaash A Mboy’, the king and founder of the tribe, ‘Ngaady A Mwaash’, his wife, and ‘Bwoom’, his brother. Grand, theatrical dances and feasts are performed with these masks among the Kuba. The present, old ‘Bwoom mask’ made of wood is richly decorated with cowrie shells, white, black, red, blue and green glass pearls, as well as a fabric made of raffia fibres. The arched, wide forehead, the cheeks, nostrils and mouth are all covered with copper sheet (partly with embossed dot decoration). The empty wood surfaces feature a grid pattern in relief. Pendants of half seed kernels hang on the lower edge of the large helmet mask, whilst the back of the head is embellished by an ‘endless knot’, a typical Kuba decorative motif, consisting of white and green glass pearls. A perfect piece with visibly very old usage patina (especially on the inside of the ‘helmet’!). Minor age damage (a small hole under the right nostril, some cowries and pendants missing). First third of the 20th century; H: 54 cm (in total, with the ‘beard’ made of raffia fabric), 36 cm (just the mask). (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Afrika’ by M. Leiris & J. Delange, ill. 196.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Stima:
-
EUR 4.000,- a EUR 5.000,-
Kuba (or Bakuba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: A large ‘bwoom mask’.
This large helmet or pull-on mask, called ‘Bwoom’, is one of the three ‘royal mask types’ of the Kuba in central Congo: ‘Mwaash A Mboy’, the king and founder of the tribe, ‘Ngaady A Mwaash’, his wife, and ‘Bwoom’, his brother. Grand, theatrical dances and feasts are performed with these masks among the Kuba. The present, old ‘Bwoom mask’ made of wood is richly decorated with cowrie shells, white, black, red, blue and green glass pearls, as well as a fabric made of raffia fibres. The arched, wide forehead, the cheeks, nostrils and mouth are all covered with copper sheet (partly with embossed dot decoration). The empty wood surfaces feature a grid pattern in relief. Pendants of half seed kernels hang on the lower edge of the large helmet mask, whilst the back of the head is embellished by an ‘endless knot’, a typical Kuba decorative motif, consisting of white and green glass pearls. A perfect piece with visibly very old usage patina (especially on the inside of the ‘helmet’!). Minor age damage (a small hole under the right nostril, some cowries and pendants missing). First third of the 20th century; H: 54 cm (in total, with the ‘beard’ made of raffia fabric), 36 cm (just the mask). (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Afrika’ by M. Leiris & J. Delange, ill. 196.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |