Kuba bwoom mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Lot 62

Lot n° 62
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Estimation :
10000 - 15000 EUR
Kuba bwoom mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Lot 62
Kuba bwoom mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood and pigments H. 35 cm Kuba Bwoom mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo H. 13 3/4 in Provenance: - Collection Niono, Paris, 1965 - Hans Hess, Basel - Eduard Hess (1921-2009), Basel - Alain de Monbrison, Paris - Private collection Publication: - Leuzinger E., Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, Kunsthaus Zürich, 1970, fig. V36 Exhibitions : - Cannes, Première exposition rétrospective internationale des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, Palais Miramar, 6 juillet - 29 septembre 1957 - Zürich, Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, Kunsthaus Zürich, 31 octobre 1970 - 17 janvier 1971 Superb Kuba mask showing an anthropomorphic face. Under a broad and rounded forehead, two eyes are inscribed in concave arches. The wide nose overhangs a thin mouth treated schematically. The ears are detailed, the chin prognathic. The hair is represented by a blackened surface in slight relief. The polychrome face is punctuated by a set of geometric lines. A superb patina attests to the age and use of the object. Masks among the Kuba are considered sacred since they embody the mingesh, the spirits of nature acting as intermediaries between the Supreme Being (Nyeem) and mortals. The mask studied here is one of the royal masks of the bwoom type (Cornet J., Art royal Kuba, 1982, p. 264). The bwoom is passed on to the future monarch, thus ensuring the continuity of power.
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