Masque, Yaka, République Démocratique du Congo

n-khanda, orné d'une petite tête de buffle sculptée en haut relief sur l'étroite âme en bois dissimulant le visage du porteur, l'ensemble surmonté d'une haute coiffe en tissu de raphia, à l'architecture complexe. Très beau jeu de formes, associant les pointes de la coiffe fermement projetées dans l'espace et la rondeur des cornes du buffle, recourbées vers le bas. La vigueur de la composition est accentuée par la richesse de la polychromie, brune, ocre rouge, blanche et bleue.

Ancienne collection William B. Moore, USA

African Arts, University of California, Berkeley, 1967, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art, Kansas City, The Brooklyn Museum of Art, NY, 1970, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1973

Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. The end of the wooden base is missing. Superficial chips to the wood. Losses to the polychrome patina of the headdress, visible in the catalogue illustration. The very end of the ears are broken, missing. For any further information, please contact the African and Oceanic Art department : kristen.lefevre@sothebys.com, + 33 1 53 05 53 39
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

cf. Bourgeois (1984 : 182 et 185) pour d'autres masques du n-khanda à sujet animalier. Celui-ci se distingue par sa belle vigueur sculpturale.