Lwalwa Mfondo mask
Abstraction in African art
Easily identifiable by its characteristic shape, I am offering you here a Lwalwa mvondo or mfondo mask from the border between DR Congo and Angola. The face is extremely stylized and abstract as on all Lwalwa masks. The nose is protruding, as is the small mouth. The flat face is at right angles to a rim, the top of which is decorated with a finely carved headdress.
The small perforation under the nose was used to pass a string that the dancer tightened between his teeth in order to hold the mask against his face as seen in the attached context photos.
01513
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- François C. Bazelaire, painter and sculptor, Bruxelles
- Condition
- Excellent
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Abstraction in African art
Easily identifiable by its characteristic shape, I am offering you here a Lwalwa mvondo or mfondo mask from the border between DR Congo and Angola. The face is extremely stylized and abstract as on all Lwalwa masks. The nose is protruding, as is the small mouth. The flat face is at right angles to a rim, the top of which is decorated with a finely carved headdress.
The small perforation under the nose was used to pass a string that the dancer tightened between his teeth in order to hold the mask against his face as seen in the attached context photos.