This is the rating and price for 20Th C. Dr Congo Salampasu Wood / Copper Mask, 2006

Description : Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salampasu peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A dramatic hand-carved wooden mask with a copper-covered face. The forehead is lined with several drilled holes through which strands of woven reed are knotted, and the braided reed beard has a single suspended rattan ball. The open mouth is carved full of white-painted teeth, and the Salampasu style is present here with a characteristic bulbous forehead. Wide ovoid eyes, a broad triangular nose, sloping cheeks, ring-form ears, and a pointed chin comprise the highly-stylized visage, and dozens of small copper panels pinned across the face have developed fine areas of green patina. Size (w/ beard): 6.75 W x 17 H (17.1 cm x 43.2 cm), 21.125 H (53.7 cm) on included custom stand. The approximately 60,000 Salampasu people live on the Kasai River, near the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, they are governed by territorial chiefs and have a reputation as fearless warriors. Masks like this one are marks of hierarchy, accessible to men after they have passed through a circumcision ritual. Earning the right to wear a mask means that a man has accrued a certain amount of wealth (through payments of livestock, drink, and other material goods) and has performed specific deeds. The copper sheets are a prerogative of leadership, and in some cases, are worn by members of the Ibuku warrior association who have killed in battle. A stylistically-similar example with a rattan-ball coiffure hammered for EUR 7,800 ($8,752.11) at Christie's, Paris Art Africain et Oceanien auction (sale 5325, June 20, 2006, lot 200): Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 2016 from a private New York, USA collection, ex-Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, ex-University of Virginia Art Museum, de-accessioned in 2008, from an American collection with old inventory number 1978.37.27 written inside verso All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #146491
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