African Art Beautiful Unique Worn Mask, Lwalwa DR Congo on eBay (end time 04-Jan-10 06:49:59 GMT)

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Fine Weathered Mask, Lwalwa People, Democratic Republic of Congo

This beautiful old mask is a fine example of the traditional Lwalwa mask. It is carved from soft wood with a weathered worn polychrome patina. It is in reasonably good condition with a small repaired crack below the chin, a few small chips on the back and some rubbing on the face. It was collected in 2003, is supplied with stand and measures 41 x 23 x 17cm. Shipping weight 3kg (see pictures).

The Lwalwa Tribe
Inhabiting the triangle formed by the Kasai River and its tributary, the Lweta, in the southwest of the former Kasai province, 20,000 Lwalwa live in Zaire, but many more are in Angola, where they are called the Tukongo. Related to the Dinga, Tabi, and Salampasa and very heavily influenced by the Lunda, the Lwalwa long remained hunters.

Their social and political organization is rudimentary. Each village has its own chief, but several villages may unite under the authority of a chief elected from among village chiefs. Lacking wide powers, these chiefs are frequently mere counselors, on the same level as notables, and render justice and sit in judgment over offenses committed by members of their clans. In earlier days, authority was transmitted through the women. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the Songhay and Luba settled in the region and introduced both the patrilinear structure and agriculture.

The masks, of enormous plastic vigor and remarkable abstraction, had an important function in the bangongo dance of the hunting ritual. When hunters returned empty- handed, the ancestors would be appeased by organizing a dance. The masks were also used in a secret ritual of the engongo society, in charge of initiation and the circumcision of young men. Masks were made during dances of highly complex choreography and had to appease the spirits of the ancestors and compel them to intervene. Masks still play a role today in secular festivities.

The sculptor enjoyed a privileged status and was paid handsomely; his profession was hereditary and often, due to his riches, he was made village chief in charge of the masked dances.

Male masks are divided into four types: the nkaki, or man's mask, with a nose sculpted into a wide triangular panel that sometimes extends up to the forehead; the shifoola, a mask with a short, hooked nose; the mvondo, the nose of which is reminiscent of the nhaki's, only smaller; and finally the mushika, which represents a woman and which has a frontal crest. The shapes are modeled after different birds. The lips are narrow but protruding and thick; the eyes have openings in rectangular, horizontal slits. On the temples they have a protuberance that represents tattooing. P. Tirnrnermans, "Les Lwalwa," in Africa Tervuren, no. 13, 1967.

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Since its inception in 1989 Sidewalk Gallery has become a renowned Tribal Arts Gallery. Specialising in Antique & Traditional African Sculpture representing more than 85 separate cultures collected from 26 countries across Africa.

Ethnic jewellery and other items of adornment , both antique & contemporary, from every continent continues to astound all who enter the gallery.
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Item location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

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