- 138
Songye Kifwebe Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description
- wood
- Height: 16 3/4 in (42.5 cm)
Provenance
Reportedly collected before 1914 in the Belgian Congo
By descent to Mrs. Vaninne, Belgium
Michael Oliver, New York, acquired from the above with the assistance of Pierre Loos
Merton D. Simpson, New York (inv. no. "3655"), acquired from the above in August 1981
Allan Stone, New York, acquired from the above on July 1, 1988
By descent to Mrs. Vaninne, Belgium
Michael Oliver, New York, acquired from the above with the assistance of Pierre Loos
Merton D. Simpson, New York (inv. no. "3655"), acquired from the above in August 1981
Allan Stone, New York, acquired from the above on July 1, 1988
Catalogue Note
According to Neyt (2004: 361 et seq.) the iconography of Songye kifwebe masks is highly symbolic and contains numerous references to Songye mythology and cosmology. The deep striations painted with various colors recall the metaphysical labyrinth the initiates have to stride during their initiation. The kifwebe mask from the Allan Stone Collection is distinguished by its great age and archaic style.