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54 - Songyé, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kifwébé mask, wood,…
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Estimate €300 - €400

Description

Songyé, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kifwébé mask, wood, kaolin H. 40 cm – W. 22 cm (on pedestal). Provenance: former collection of the artist André Van Ghendt, Belgium. The Kifwebe type is recognisable by its parallelepiped-shaped, protruding mouth, half-closed crescent-shaped eyes and the almost hypnotic patterns covering the rim of the structure. Bifwebe masks (the plural of Kifwebe) remain one of the most famous examples in the corpus of African art. Very early on, they were associated with modern artists due to their unique expressiveness and the bold power they exude. Kifwebe masks fall into two main categories: the male Kilume masks and the female Kikashi masks. Although intended to evoke opposite impressions in the viewer, these two types of mask, when displayed together, represented a complementary duality. Whilst the male masks possessed a powerful coercive dimension embodying evil forces, the female masks were regarded as symbols of benevolence. These two types of mask also share the initiatory secrets of Buci and Masende witchcraft.

See original version (French)

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About the sale AFRICAN ART – TERRACOTTA FROM THE INDUS VALLEY – PRE-COLUMBIAN ART – OCEANIAN ART – HOPI CULTURE

Auction location

Auction time 06/24/2026 at 1:30 PM

Ref. : 3359 - 33

Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House

54 - Songyé, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kifwébé mask, wood,… See original version (French)

54 - Songyé, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kifwébé mask, wood,…
See original version (French)