A very finely carved wooden Female dance mask of the Kifwebe secret Society, DRC. Congo, Africa. The mask features very precise incised linear designs. Among the small Songye chiefdoms along the Lomami River, maskers were emissaries of the ruling elite, who relied on the ideology of witchcraft and sorcery to sustain their rule. These kifwebe members commanded a body of esoteric secret knowledge visually encoded mnemonically in the mask's features, including the incised designs. This mask measures 19 x 9 inches. A metal display stand can also be included for an additional $50.00. Provenance: A private New England Collection.

fair, small chip on back