Description:

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luba peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden mask boasting dozens of meticulously-incised striations across the rounded cheeks and forehead. The almond-shaped eyes are surrounded by thick swaths of red pigment and flank a narrow nose with a dramatically-elongated bridge, and pursed lips form the petite mouth which protrudes from the bottom. Layers of black, white, and red pigment adorn the exterior, and the interior is carved out and ready for wear. Size: 8.5" W x 8.9" H (21.6 cm x 22.6 cm).

For a stylistically-similar example with an extended neck line, please see: Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste. "The Tribal Arts of Africa: Surveying Africa's Artistic Geography." Thames & Hudson, New York, 2000, p. 156, fig. 1.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private lifetime collection of Dr. Saul Tuttman and Dr. Gregory Siskind, New York, New York, USA

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#136817

  • Condition: Minor losses to one eye and areas of periphery on verso, with a couple of stable fissures, wear to some raised areas, and fading to original pigmentation. Light earthen deposits and great traces of original pigmentation across obverse, and nice patina along carved-out verso.

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April 25, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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