SONGYE MALE "KIFWEBE" MASK

Origin: Dem. Rep. of Congo, Eastern Songye  (Provenance: Ex. Fily Keita Los Angeles.   Ex. Jean-Pierre Hallet Collection, Malibu California.  The mask acquired from the daughter Hallet's daughter.   Jean-Pierre donated much of his Central African art collection to the UCLA African Art exhibit of the Museum of Cultural History, later renamed the Fowler Museum, which was part of the impetus for its creation).  Hallet was born in 1920's and raised on the shores of Lake kivu in the former Belgian Congo.  Throughout his life he was an enthusiastic collector of all types of African art, especially from Tanzania and the Eastern Congo.  He was the author of three remarkable books on the life and culture in Central Africa:  Congo Kitabu, Pygmy Kitabu, and Animal Ktabu.   

Period/Date:  Circa 1940's, possibly older

Materials: wood, red, white and black natural pigment paints, raffia and rattan

Description:  This striking male kifwebe mask with high comb is presented on a custom stand and retains a portion of its raffia fiber and knot work netting.  It was danced at different ceremonies by men who function as police or to intimidate an enemy in case of war.  It shows obvious and long use with layered and encrusted applications of pigments having been reapplied for each ceremony.  Overall it has a dry surface and has not been waxed.  Notice the wear on the pierced wood holes around the perimeter.   In good condition with some minor hairline age cracks.  A very dramatic piece in person.

Dimensions:   Overall Height: 40"  (102 cm), Height of mask 21.5"  (54.5 cm) : Width 15.5"  (39.5 cm)

Price:  SOLD