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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

101 - Eluba (Emangungu) Bembe mask, East Kivu, Democratic Republic…
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Estimate €500 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Eluba (Emangungu) Bembe mask, East Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo Materials: Wood and pigments. Base included (gallery condition). Provenance: From James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the painter Constant Permeke. The objects presented in this sale come from the collection of James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the painter Constant Permeke. Permeke, grandson of major Belgian artist Constant Permeke. Kept in the family for several decades for several decades, this collection bears witness to a provenance directly linked to one of the most important one of Belgium's most important artistic lineages of the 20th century. Dimensions: H. 31 cm (38 cm with stand) This rare Eluba or Emangungu mask belongs to the ceremonial corpus of the Bembe of East Kivu. Used in the the Butende bwa Eluba initiation society, it embodies the Kolyulo bird, a being associated with the forces of nature and the world of spirits. world of spirits. Its singular physiognomy, characterised by vast circular orbits, a stylised beak and polychrome preserved polychrome decoration, gives it a particularly strong visual presence. The balance balance between abstraction and figuration bears witness to an aesthetic concept deeply rooted in the region's traditions of the region. The work stands out for its remarkable state of preservation. It is rare today to find a Bembe mask that has Bembe mask that has retained its original volumes, its ancient pigments and the integrity of its surface. This material authenticity is a major asset for both the connoisseur and the discerning collector. With its pure forms, bold use of volume and powerful expressive power, this mask is a perfect illustration of this timeless modernity. perfectly illustrates the timeless modernity that characterises the great arts of Central Africa. Like so many that made their mark on collectors and artists in the early 20th century, it demonstrates the extent to which African art African art was able to develop an autonomous plastic language of astonishing formal freedom. There are very few Bembe masks of such sculptural quality, such convincing conservation and such reassuring provenance. reassuring provenance.
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About the sale ARTS OF AFRICA & OCEANIA: Three exceptional family collections
Auction location
Auction time 06/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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