This is the rating and price for Early 20Th C. African Songye Wooden Male Kifwebe Mask

Description : Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Songye peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden mask with abstract, stylized features and covered with linear incisions. The face has a square protruding mouth, a ridge that forms the nose, and a crest that extends across the brow to the back of the head. The eyes are narrow slits under the jutting brow, and perforations along the edges were made to add raffia or additional feather ornamentations. This mask is considered masculine given its central crested coiffure, while female examples have a relatively plain coiffure. The size of the crest also determines the magical power of the mask. This example shows wonderful low and high relief carving and is elaborately painted with black and cream-white hues. Kifwebe masks are worn in connection with the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe secret society, however, the relatively small size of this was worn as a protective charm or pendant. A wonderful example! Size: 8.5 L x 3.675 W (21.6 cm x 9.3 cm) Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, purchased from Matt Scheiner at Gallery Jatad, Houston, Texas, USA in 2015 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. #162909
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Estimate (low-high) : 800 USD-1200 USD It's free to register now to view!

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