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Songye plank
€325.00
€162.50
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Wooden Songye ceremonial prestige plaque or shield, centred on a high-relief face displaying the characteristic vocabulary of Kifwebe masks: prominent globular eyes, elongated nose, projecting rectangular mouth and an extensive pattern of geometric grooves.
Objects of this type belong to a relatively rare corpus documented among both the Songye and Luba. Despite their shield-like appearance, they were probably not intended for warfare. Rather, they appear to have served as emblems of prestige and authority, associated with chiefs and with the symbolic expression of political power. Early examples are documented from the late nineteenth century.
The Kifwebe imagery refers to the male bwadi bwa kifwebe society, whose members historically played an important role in social and political regulation, chiefly investitures and funerals, as well as male initiation. Their masks embodied intertwined political, judicial and spiritual authority.
On this example, the repeated linear grooves covering both the face and surrounding panel create a particularly unified and dynamic composition. The dark brown patina and polished high points further enhance the sculptural depth.
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Wooden Songye ceremonial prestige plaque or shield, centred on a high-relief face displaying the characteristic vocabulary of Kifwebe masks: prominent globular eyes, elongated nose, projecting rectangular mouth and an extensive pattern of geometric grooves.
Objects of this type belong to a relatively rare corpus documented among both the Songye and Luba. Despite their shield-like appearance, they were probably not intended for warfare. Rather, they appear to have served as emblems of prestige and authority, associated with chiefs and with the symbolic expression of political power. Early examples are documented from the late nineteenth century.
The Kifwebe imagery refers to the male bwadi bwa kifwebe society, whose members historically played an important role in social and political regulation, chiefly investitures and funerals, as well as male initiation. Their masks embodied intertwined political, judicial and spiritual authority.
On this example, the repeated linear grooves covering both the face and surrounding panel create a particularly unified and dynamic composition. The dark brown patina and polished high points further enhance the sculptural depth.
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