A Superb Pende Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo

mbuya, of hollowed oval form, the pointed chin beneath the small frowning mouth, the small pyramidal nose bisecting the pierced heavy lidded eyes beneath the V-shaped unibrow, with fiber headdress attached; exceptionally fine deep dark brown patina with traces of red pigment.

Collected by a member of the Jesuit order mission of Kwango, Democratic Republic of the Kongo
Collection of the Jesuit order at Bujumbura, Democratic Republic of the Kongo
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, acquired from the above
Joseph Henrion, Brussels, aqcuired from the above
Marc Leo Felix, Brussels
Helmut Stern, Ann Arbor

Minneapolis, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo. Selections from the Helmut F. Stern Collection, October 1, 1999 - July 2, 2000

Evan M. Maurer and Niangi Batulukisi, Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo. Selections from the Helmut F. Stern Collection, Minneapolis, 1999, pp. 90 and 93, cat. 29

good condition overall for an object of this type and age; minor insect damage on left inside and top; fiber headdress very fragile and detached from forehead; exceptionally fine deep dark brown patina with traces of red pigment.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For closely related masks cf. one in the New Orleans Museum of Art see Fagaly (1978: 21, fig. 2); a second acquired in 1913 by the Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren (Strother 1999: 26, figs. 10a and b); and a third sold at Sotheby's, New York, May 18, 1992, lot 44.