
Description
SUPERB NSEMBU KUMU PANEL MASK
Among the Kumu, Nsembu masks are important objects, the masks, which go in pairs (female/male) are generally distinct, but can be more rarely joined and juxtaposed as is the case here.
For similar pieces, see Félix, 1987, pages 64 and 65 and Neyt, 2010, figure 47
The masks of the Komo (or Kumu) tribe represent the spirit of divination
They are used during ceremonies, only by the descendants of the first initiates of the greatest diviner Abálambú, (himself initiated by the cynocephalus monkeys, according to legend) At first taken for a madman, he was followed by his son-in-law, who then had many followers and developed a brotherhood, the ƃabánkunda.
The Kumu are a Bantu people living in the equatorial forest of eastern Congo DRC in the province of North Kivu, they are neighbors, among others, of the Lega, the Leka, the Lengola, the Songola, the Pere, the Kwame and the Nyanga
Characteristics:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask
ETHNICAL GROUP: Kumu - Komo
ORIGINE: Democratic Republic of Congo.
DRC (ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaïre).
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: About 18 3/4 Inches high (47.5 cm)
CONDITION: Medium
Reserve: $600.00
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Buyer's Premium
20%
Superb KOMO - KUMU wood pannel Mask Congo Drc African Tribal Art Gallery 1673
Estimate $700-$800
Starting Price
$300
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