Description:

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salampasu peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. An intriguing mask formed from tightly-woven reed fibers and decorated with a hanging raffia beard. The stylized countenance boasts a bulbous nose, a puffy forehead, wide cheeks, slender ovoid eyes, and petite woven-reed rings applied to the temples. The coiffure is composed of dozens of knotted bulbs, and the head is topped with a conical headdress that displays repeating registers of red-orange, dark gray, and yellow-white triangles between twisted cords. Though masks like this example are used within the Idangani society of the Salampasu, scholars are still unsure as to their exact purpose. Size (without beard): 8" L x 12" W x 10.5" H (20.3 cm x 30.5 cm x 26.7 cm); (with beard): 24" H (61 cm); 29.75" H (75.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Canadian collection

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#182776

  • Condition: Some fraying to raffia beard, with loosening to some headpiece fibers, otherwise intact and excellent. Great beard! Modern foam insert within.

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December 7, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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