Western Pende Mask with Raffia Mbuya Congo African Art 32 Inch


Western Pende Mask with Raffia Mbuya Congo African Art 32 Inch

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Western Pende Mask with Raffia Mbuya Congo African Art 32 Inch:
$595.00


TitleWestern Pende Mask with Raffia Mbuya Congo African Art 32 InchCountry of OriginDemocratic Republic of CongoPeoplePende WesternMaterialswood, pigment, raffia fibersApproximate Age20th centuryOther DimensionsHeight: 32 Inches
Width: 11 Inches
Depth: 10 Inches
Overall ConditionGoodDamage/Repairminor chips and scrapes Provenance:From the collection of Howard Gelb, St. Paul, MN collector of African Art, who was also a businessman, lawyer, andphilanthropist. Mr. Gelb died in 2015, at the age of 96.Additional Information: Mbuya masks dance during the ceremonies of circumcision and initiation of young boys (Mukanda). Each Mbuya mask is assigned a specific name related to the character the mask is asked to play. There are several characters. A single mask can play one or more characters when performing. Masks of this form may represent a young flirt (Gabuku) or a diviner (Nganga Ngombo).

Though the Pende are divided into two geographically distinct groups, with considerable artistic differences, they still consider themselves one people and are both well-known for their initiation and circumcision masks. Their proximity to Angola and the cultures of the old Lunda Empire, like the Chokwe, make their masks and prestige objects among the most diverse and beautiful in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Western Pende Mask with Raffia Mbuya Congo African Art 32 Inch:
$595.00

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