Mask

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-masks

Culture Pende

Date20th Century

Made AtDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

MediumWood, fiber, pigment and metal

Dimensions16 × 10 × 10 1/2 in. (40.6 × 25.4 × 26.7 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Gamson

Object numberF78.56.2

DescriptionMask. Bapende. Zaire. (Mbuyu Initiation mask). Wood, dyed raffia, red ochre, white mineral based pigment, twine basketry and metallic band. Domed forehead, closed eyes, flaring nostrils and half-open mouth revealing sharpened teeth, filed to points. Coiffure is made of black dyed raffia with four conical horns. Basketry panel attached around chin from ear to ear.

Information supplied by donor.
Pende. Zaire. Mubyu Initation Mask. 10in, wood, cloth and black raffia hair style with four horns.
Mash of this type come from the Katundu district, one of the oldest centers of mask making. Mbuyu masks are of all kinds and some represent figures typical of the tribe. Each mask has its own name and characteristics. This particular mask represents a chief since it has four horns. Dancers often adopted deliberatly farcial attitudes, poses and movements to ridicule the proud, the lazy or the intemperate, Pende masks were used principally in circumcision rites and popular dances. They were regarded as sacred accessories and were hidden when not in use. Purity of line and the sharply cut nose are typical of masks in the prized Katundu style.
This mask is an authentic sculpture of the Pende.
Ref: CORNET, J.: ART OF BLACK AFRICA: 1971 p. 100 et seq., p. 104.
SEGY,L.: AFRICAN SCULPTURE SPEAKS:1952 p. 52 & 193
RIETBERG MUSEUM. ZURICH: p. 200
MUSEE DU CONGO- DELGE. TERVUREN: nos. 50, 55, 212, 213.

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