Female Kifwebe mask
Baluba · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reference: MFC-6
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- Height
- 28 cm
- Material
- Wood
The Luba mask is very similar to the female mask kifwebé of the Songyé, which is more rounded, although the male mask also carries the front…
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Full original description
The Luba mask is very similar to the female mask kifwebé of the Songyé, which is more rounded, although the male mask also carries the front edge that goes down to the nose, but thinner than the latter. There is very little variety of luba masks.
It is a semi-spherical mask in natural wood, with no other polychrome than its dark patina. Triangular nose and just like the Songyé masks, his face is covered with stretch marks. It is a lunar mask. In addition to appearing in the mortuary rites in honor of a boss, it appears and acquires all its importance in the lunar rites, specifically on the first night of the new moon.
Further technical information
- Width
- 27 cm
- Attributed period
- Mid-century XX.
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
