BEMBE CIRCUMCISION MASK - DRC

Description

This Emangungu ritual mask has probably participated in male circumcision rites of the Bembe peoples of the DRC. Characterized by an elongated wooden structure, these highly expressive mask features massive, concave orbital rims coated in white kaolin clay, small projecting cylindrical pupils, a triangular nose, and an open mouth revealing carved teeth. The vertical scarification marks beneath the concave eyes are a classic stylistic hallmark of the region. In traditional Bembe society, these masks participated in the male circumcision and manhood initiation rites. The exaggerated, large-set eyes are believed to represent spiritual oversight, ancestral power, and wisdom, often blending human traits with owl-like zoomorphic characteristics to protect initiates during their forest seclusion. Date: Early-20th century Dimensions: 15 x 7 x 5. Note: Stand does not convey. Condition: Use and worn, with surface abrasions sustained during handling g, liquid stains marks.

Buyer's Premium

15% up to

$100.00

15% up to

$500.00

15% above

$500.00

BEMBE CIRCUMCISION MASK - DRC

Lot 0187

Estimate $300-$500Jul 4, 2026, 2:00 AM EDT

Starting Price

Secure

$100

SET YOUR MAX BID

Good Bid

Strong Bid

Competitive Bid

Or select a higher max bid amount

1 bidder is watching this item

Get approved to bid.

LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection

Vetted auction houses

Secure, online bidding

Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings

Dedicated support when you need it

Celebrate Independence Day

Jul 04, 2026 2:00 AM EDT

Franklin, PA, United States

AGATE NECKLACE JEWELRY - WESTERN AFRICA: This vintage graduated carnelian agate bead necklace features a striking array of highly polished, round gemstone beads that progressively increase in size toward a bold center focal point. The

Jul 04, 2026AGATE NECKLACE JEWELRY - WESTERN AFRICA

KUMU DIVINATION AND INITIATION MASK - DRC: Kumu (Komo), DRC. Divination and initiation mask used during the rites of passage and circumcision ceremonies of the Nkunda secret society. Represents the spirit of a diviner, these masks were utilize

Jul 04, 2026KUMU DIVINATION AND INITIATION MASK - DRC

NGBAKA GAZA INITIATION MASK - DRC: Ngbaka (Bwaka) peoples, DRC. Used as an initiation and protection mask (Dagara) worn by young males during and immediately following circumcision ceremonies. The mask is deeply integrated into the Gaz

Jul 04, 2026NGBAKA GAZA INITIATION MASK - DRC

MARKA BIRD MASK - MALI: Marka (Maraka) mask from Mali, a West African ethnic group closely related to the Bambara (Bamana) people. The key iconographic feature is the bird crest, which represents fertility, spiritual

Jul 04, 2026MARKA BIRD MASK - MALI

HEADREST KAMBATTA / GURAGE - ETHIOPIA: This object is a traditional wooden headrest from the Kambatta or Gurage people of the Ethiopian Highlands. Locally termed yagertera (Amharic) or boraati (Oromiffaa), these personal wooden pillows

Jul 04, 2026HEADREST KAMBATTA / GURAGE - ETHIOPIA

SENUFO KPELIE MASK - MALI / IVORY COAST: Senufo (Ivory Coast / Mali border region). This is a kpelie (kpeliye'e) face mask, used within the Poro society, the central male initiation and social regulatory institution of the Senufo. It is

Jul 04, 2026SENUFO KPELIE MASK - MALI / IVORY COAST

LEGA MANY-HEADS - DRC: Lega Sakimatwematwe (Many-Heads) multi-faced figure from the DRC. Used by the Bwami association, a social and political organization that structures Lega community life. The multiple faces symbolize

Jul 04, 2026LEGA MANY-HEADS - DRC

LEGA TURTLE MASK - DRC: Lega Lukungu mask from the DRC. Crafted from a turtle carapace, which represents wisdom and caution to the Lega people. These masks were reserved for high-ranking initiates of the Bwami society,

Jul 04, 2026LEGA TURTLE MASK - DRC

KUMU / KOMO DIVINATION MASK - DRC: Kumu or Komo people. Alternatively, its rugged, minimalist execution with vertical wooden pegs for teeth. Associated with the Nkunda secret society. The mask represents the literal spirit of a

Jul 04, 2026KUMU / KOMO DIVINATION MASK - DRC

CHOKWE ROYAL COURT DRUMMER - ANGOLA / DRC: Chokwe court musician figure from Angola/Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Chokwe chiefdoms, royal courts employed professional musicians. Carving statues of a chief's drummer (Ngoma player) was a

Jul 04, 2026CHOKWE ROYAL COURT DRUMMER - ANGOLA / DRC

AZANDE - PROTECTIVE MAGICAL FIGURE - SOUTH SUDAN: Azande (Zande), DRC/South Sudan/Central African Republic. Protective/magical figure, likely used in divinatory or spiritual practices associated with the Azande oracle tradition. The Azande are

Jul 04, 2026AZANDE - PROTECTIVE MAGICAL FIGURE - SOUTH SUDAN

MBAGANI MASK - DRC: The Mbagani (Bambagani) people of the southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo traditionally carved this hardwood face mask to function as a powerful protective guardian during boys'

Jul 04, 2026MBAGANI MASK - DRC

LEGA PASSPORT MASK - DRC: The Lega passport masks were displayed in groups on special palisades, worn on the arm, or dragged on the ground by their beards during ceremonies of the Bwami society. They are owned by men of the

Jul 04, 2026LEGA PASSPORT MASK - DRC

LEGA BWAMI RITUAL FIGURE - DRC: Bwami ritual object from the Lega in DRC. These carvings, often referred to as iginga, are not decorative but serve as essential tools within the Bwami society, a semi-secret association that guides

Jul 04, 2026LEGA BWAMI RITUAL FIGURE - DRC

ZARAMO FERTILITY DOLL - TANZANIA: Mwana Hiti ("wooden child") fertility doll, traditionally created by the Zaramo (and neighboring Kwere) people of coastal Tanzania. The doll is treated as a surrogate child, dressed, carried, and

Jul 04, 2026ZARAMO FERTILITY DOLL - TANZANIA

SONGE DIVINATION WAND - DRC: This Songe divination staff or authority wand was used by a Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe society official or a village chief. The multiple figureswith the female on the top of the wand and the make on the base,

Jul 04, 2026SONGE DIVINATION WAND - DRC

BATWA ANTHROPOMORPHIC FIGURES - DRC / GREAT LAKES REGION: These three terracotta figures are traditional Batwa (Twa) ceramic sculptures from the DRC and the surrounding Great Lakes region of Central Africa. The stylized human figures (figures

Jul 04, 2026BATWA ANTHROPOMORPHIC FIGURES - DRC / GREAT LAKES REGION

HIMA / TUTSI MILK VASE - UGANDA, RWANDA, BURUNDI: This Ekyanzi (or Ekyansi), a traditional wooden milk vessel crafted by the Hima (Bahima) and Tutsi pastoralist peoples of the African Great Lakes region, primarily in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Jul 04, 2026HIMA / TUTSI MILK VASE - UGANDA, RWANDA, BURUNDI

GOURO/BETE MASK - IVORY COAST: Gouro/Bete mask (?) The combination of features on this mask is genuinely distinctive and unusual. Rather than representing a single distinct tribe, these hybrid masks reflect a shared sculptural

Jul 04, 2026GOURO/BETE MASK - IVORY COAST

LEGA PRESTIGE WALKING STICK - DRC: Lega prestige cane or walking stick (Kikango or Kifuma), originating from the Lega people of the DRC. The two figures topping the cane feature the classic heart-shaped face, coffee-bean slit eyes,

Jul 04, 2026LEGA PRESTIGE WALKING STICK - DRC

Related Searches

American Indian Artifacts antique native american Ceremonial Native American Rocks and Stones Historical Artifact Collectibles Native American Necklaces North America Artifacts North American Indian Artifacts Paleo Artifacts Tribal Artifacts Tribal Native American Art Price Results Auctions in Pennsylvania

TOP