Bembe Janus Helmet Mask for the Alunga Society, Democratic Republic of the Congo

echawokaba/echwaboga.

Pace Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 1986

The Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, Charlotte Collects, 1987
The Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, permanent exhibition, 1989-1994

Good condition for an object of this type and age. Marks, nicks, scratches, and abrasions consistent with age and use. Age cracks, including one open crack running between janus faces on one side, with a hole about two inches in diameter. Chipping around extremities. Fine aged patina with remains of white and black 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.

Discussing a related mask in the Musée Barbier-Mueller, Geneva, Hahner-Herzog (1998: text to cat. 96) notes: "This mask represents a type of mask which, according to the Bembe, goes back to the Bahonga, a hunting and gathering people whose collecting of honey is said to have been done under the tutelage of this mask.  With the Bembe it is called ibulu lya alunga or echwaboga, represents a bush spirit (m'ma mwitu), and belongs to the accessories of the hierarchically ordered Alunga men's association.  The mask is used during acceptance ceremonies for new, usually young members, as well as in hunting rites.  For public appearances the carved helmet is decorated with an elaborate headdress of feathers and porcupine (ehala) quills, and a neck fringe of fibers.  The dancer is clad in a multilayered fiber costume (asamba).  These impressive Alunga masks are invariably conceived in the form of cylindrical helmets with two, as it were, Janus faces, whose black rhombic or cross-shaped eyes with protruding pupils are set in large oval hollows painted white.  Due to these striking facial features the masks have been interpreted as representing owls, with which the masqueraders in fact occasionally identify.  In addition, the two faces are intended to invoke the all-seeing nature of the mask spirit, a capacity which enables him to reconcile the opposing forces of nature, such as male/female or day/night."

A closely related mask is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. "1979.206.243").