Online catalogue for the 67th tribal art auction

421 Antropomorphic amulet mask "ikoko"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende

ivory, of oval form, diadem-like head band, pierced pupils, holes for attachment, min. dam., fissure

H: 4,3 cm
H: 1.7 inch

Price: 600 - 1200 €

422 Pendant

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende

ivory, in form of a standing figure, showing tribe-typical facial features and a high headgear, holes for attachment, min. dam., fissures

H: 8,5 cm
H: 3.3 inch

Price: 600 - 1200 €

423 Mask "mbuya"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende

wood, clay-like reddish patina, accents in black, pierced eyes with hanging lids, elaborate raffia bast bonnet, tapering on top, slightly dam., patina rubbed of in some areas; masks of the Pende were used to worship the chief and for initiation rites or for sacred purposes of the priests. In particular, this artist has captured the "bedroom eyes" ("zanze") believed essential to women's power over men. The eyes are relatively small in size and the upper lids curve downwards to create the impression that they are nearly closed.

H: 33 cm
H: 13 inch

Provenance
Old Belgian Colonial Collection

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424 Mask "phumbu"

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D. R. Congo, Pende

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, raffia bonnet with four cone-like projections, min. dam., paint rubbed off, on metal base; present mask represents a chief and was used during masquerades supposed to entertain the village inhabitants. When the "phumbu" mask appeared, it was frequently accompanied by an assistant wearing a "tundu" mask. His task was to find a good seat for the chief with the best possible view.

H: 40,5 cm
H: 15.9 inch

Provenance
Peter Loebarth, Hameln, Germany
Wolfgang Nerlich, Munich, Germany

Literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brüssel 1987, p. 143, ill. 7

Price: 1000 - 2000 €

425 Mask "muyombo"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende

wood, middle brown patina, kaolin, characteristic features: the brows connected to one horizontal line, eyes with hanging lids ("zanze"), snub nose, a tongue-shaped beard "mvevo" with traditional triangular patterns "njege" and abundant grass fibre tufts around the rim, raffiabast bonnet on a half-spherical grass fibre frame, remains of plant fibre weave backside, at the same place labeled in white paint "P 58" and an old collection sticker "304", slightly dam., paint rubbed off, insect caused damage; the mask was worn horizontal on the head. The chin extension apparently represents the ancestral beard. It is called "mwevu" and it is meant as a symbol for authority and wisdom of the ancestors. This mask type was used at initiation and circumcision rites for young boys and in ceremonies conducted in order to achieve good luck in hunting or efficient harvest. The "muyombo" masks should guarantee fertility and welfare of the community.

H: 51 cm
H: 20.1 inch

Provenance
Hans Himmelheber, Heidelberg, Germany

Literature
Strother, Z.S., Pende, Mailand 2008, pl. 12
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 81

Price: 5000 - 10000 €

426 Horned mask "giphogo"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende

wood, encrusted patina, polychrome paint, of oval form, deeply hollowed tubular eyes, an elongated snout with drilled nostrils, crowned by high towering horns, pierced around the rim, min. dam., fissures, slight traces of abrasion, on base; the Pende people live at the left bank of the Kasai river. They became well known for their big masks, like "pumpu" and "giphogo", rather than for their triangular miniature masks.

H: 65 cm
H: 25.6 inch

Provenance
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, Belgium
Belgian Private Collection

Literature
Marc L. Felix, 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 141, ill. 4

Price: 4000 - 8000 €

427 Horned mask "giphogo"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende

wood, polychrome paint, a heart-shaped facial plane with a zig-zag beard in relief, horns in shape of lance tips, plant fibre beard, pierced around the rim, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, minor missing parts

H: 35 cm
H: 13.8 inch

Provenance
Coll. Bernhard Jäger, Frankfurt a. M., Germany

Price: 600 - 1200 €

428 Mask "giphogo"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende (East)

wood, polychrome paint, helmet-shaped, expressive face with big slit eyes and a trunk-like nose, disc-shaped flattened beard with zigzag ornaments, coiffure with knob-like projection, min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion; the mask "giphogo" forms part of the chief's treasure, and is kept in his residence together with other sacred objects. The masked figure represents the political leader and symbolizes ancestral power.

H: 29 cm
H: 11.4 inch

Provenance
Boris Kegel-Konietzko, Hamburg, Germany

Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 73

Price: 1000 - 2000 €

429 Helmet mask "gipogo"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende (East)

wood, dark brown patina, camwood powder, kaolin, high arching brows and narrow slit eyes flanking a trunk-like nose, a drilled hole marking the mouth with plant fibre cord for fixing the mask, disc-like projecting beard, old collection number inside "154-54 P50", slightly dam., missing parts (beard), rep. (nose, beard), traces of insect caused damage (back of the head); representing a Chief, "pogo" means sword of the executioner. This mask is part of the Chief's treasury "kifumu" and is kept at a special place reserved for the ancestors. Loaded with strong magical power the mask appears to ward off illness and danger to the community. It is worn after the initiation of young boys as well, especially after the circumcision rites.

H: 31 cm
H: 12.2 inch

Provenance
Lore Kegel & Dr. Georg Kegel, Hamburg, Germany (coll. in situ 1956)

Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 73

Price: 5000 - 10000 €

430 Mask "panya ngombe"

This object is not available any more.

D. R. Congo, Pende (East)

wood, polychrome paint, round form with pointed chin, striking large slit eyes and projecting ears, min. dam., minor missing parts, fissures, traces of abrasion; the "panya ngombe" mask type makes reference to the wild cow or buffalo, symbol of prestige and high rank. The rarity of this mask type is perhaps attributable to the fact that circumcision - the ritual to which it had originally been closely allied - has not been carried out within the scope of the initiation since the 1930s. The mask is, however, still reflected in high-relief in the lintel to the door of the chief's house. In such cases this sign indicates that the owner belongs to the highest class of chiefs.

H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch

Provenance
Jean Willy Mestach, Brussels, Belgium
Jan Lundberg, Malmö, Sweden

Published in
Afrikanskt, Inspirationskälla för den moderna konsten, Malmö Konsthall 1986, p. 132, ill. 163

GVR Archives Registration No.
0006024

Literature
Herreman, Frank, Petridis, Constantijn (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 77

Price: 18000 - 25000 €