Songye Kifwebe mask
The masks of the bwadi bwa Kifwebe
This African wooden mask with a very cubist look comes from the Basongye, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Known as "kifwebe" (pl. bifwebe), masks like these came out in groups. They also exist among the Luba.
This Kifwebe Songye mask has an imposing summit crest indicating that it is a male kilume example. Thick contrasting streaks run through the mask. These refer to ancestors in the afterlife.
The small extruded mouth ending in a cross is aligned in the plane of the naso-frontal ridge, which makes this mask just as appreciable in profile as in front.
01961
Data sheet
- Size
- 30 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Condition
- Excellent
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The masks of the bwadi bwa Kifwebe
This African wooden mask with a very cubist look comes from the Basongye, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Known as "kifwebe" (pl. bifwebe), masks like these came out in groups. They also exist among the Luba.
This Kifwebe Songye mask has an imposing summit crest indicating that it is a male kilume example. Thick contrasting streaks run through the mask. These refer to ancestors in the afterlife.
The small extruded mouth ending in a cross is aligned in the plane of the naso-frontal ridge, which makes this mask just as appreciable in profile as in front.