This is the rating and price for Pende Sickness Mask 'Mbangu'
Description : Wood
Pende peoples, D. R. Congo
Two asymmetrical sides of the face with distorted features
Large heavy-lidded downcast eyes, large asymmetric nose and asymmetric, open mouth showing teeth
Complete with dual color raffia coiffure and raffia cloth attached to the chin
Mounted on a stand with wooden base
Dimensions: 30 x 23 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Old European Collection
These masks are a symbol of disease, showing a face distorted by sickness or some other medical condition or deformed due to a curse cast by sorcerers. They are worn by dancers promoting demanding for afflicted members of the community.
In the early 20th century African masks became sources of inspiration for many artists of the Parisian avant-garde, including Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. They adopted their abstracted features to deconstruct the facial planes of their painted and sculpted figures, replacing them with masklike faces. William Rubin, curator of the 1984 exhibition 'Primitivism in 20th Century Art' at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, for instance, sets masks of this type in relation to the face of one of the women in Picasso's 'Les Demoiselles d'Avignon' from 1907 now in MoMA (accession no. 333.1939).
Condition:
The mask is in good condition with signs of wear consistent with age and use. There are some abrasions and traces of insect damage. A minor repair to the left ear. The dimensions are 30 x 23 cm. Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.
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Estimate (low-high) : 1600 EUR-2000 EURIt's free to register now to view!
About the lot N° 25 Title : Pende Sickness Mask 'Mbangu' Medium : Pende peoples, D. R. Congo Size : 30 x 23 cm
30 x 23 cm Auctionata Paddle8 AG, auctioneer, Berlin, DEIt's free to register now to view! Sale title : #215: Fine Tribal Art Sale date : 21 Apr 2015It's free to register now to view! Sale Reference : Live Sale