Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Woyo, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved and hand-painted wooden mask of the ndunga, a male society of the Woyo peoples whose dances commemorate a range of significant community events such as the installation of tribal elders, festive celebrations, funerals, or grave danger. The mask is intricately detailed with a scalloped coiffure featuring a central projection, petite circular decorations incised with stellar motifs flanking the openwork eyes which are also adorned with pink and blue pigment and white lashes, a protruding nose, an open mouth revealing carved teeth, and cup-shaped ears. The periphery is perforated for attaching other elements, as usually such masks are worn with a grand costume of a voluminous nature (in relative proportion to the mask's size) that is comprised of dried banana leaves which completely cover the performer's body. Custom stand. Size: 7.5" W x 11.25" H (19 cm x 28.6 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on stand

Provenance: ex- Adeon Gallery, Nick Poolos, Chicago, Illinois, USA acquired before 1970.

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#113237

  • Condition: Expected surface wear with minor pigment loss as shown. Inactive insect losses to interior.

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June 26, 2017 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000