Description
Rare BEMBE initiation mask
(M'cwe Wa Wondolomina)
Beautiful initiation mask with 4 eyes
Worn by Bembe circumcisers, these masks were to inspire respect and fear
But polysemous, they could also be used during grade changes within the Bwami brotherhood
The Bembe are based in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Lake Tanganyika. (Do not confuse them with the Beembe who sometimes also spell Bembe and who are a people of the Kongo group)
They see themselves as the descendants of the Lega of which they are culturally close. The Bwamé of the Bembe has much in common with the Bwami of the Lega
At the same time, they have other secret associations such as Elunda and Alunga, whose mask helmets are well known by Congo art lovers.
Characteristics:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNICAL GROUP: Bembe.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic Congo
MATERIAL: Wood.
DIMENSIONS: About 13 3/4 inches high (35 cm)
CONDITION: Medium
The base is NOT included
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Bibliographie - Bibliography
- Masks in Congo, Viviane Baeke, Baeke, Arthur Bourgeois, Kellim Brown, David Binkley, Rik Ceyssens, Marc Leo Felix, Pol Pierre Gossiaux, Manuel Jordanl, Constantin Petridis, Zoë Stroher, Julien Volper, Pan Yanqin. Edition Marc Leo Félix, 2016
- 100 peoples of Zaïre and their sculpture. The handbook for collectors, scholars and students, Marc Leo Felix, Bruxelles: Zaïre Basin Art History Research Foundation, 1987
- Face of the Spirits ; Masks from the Zaire Basin, Frank Herreman, Constantijn Petridis
- Le Bwame du Léopard des Babembe (Kivu-Congo), Pol-Pierre Gossiaux, ULG 2000-2006
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Reserve: $800.00
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Buyer's Premium
20%
BEMBE Nice zoomorphic initiation owl mask Congo Drc African Tribal Art MC 1871
Estimate $1,000-$1,200
Starting Price
$400
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