BEMBE MASK, ALUNGA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
Auction: 13 March 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
carved wood and pigment, of Janus form, each with large concave oval eyes with cruciform motif at the centre and projecting conical pupils, small pierced circular mouth within incised rings, raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
39cm tall
Provenance
Private collection, London, United Kingdom, acquired from the below
Frantz Dufour, Galerie Kanem, Paris
Footnote
In southern D.R.C. and Angola, brightly painted masks mark the transition to adulthood. Adolescent boys undergo a long initiation period filled with challenges to test their strength and courage. The Bembe alunga society mask, decorated with feathers and quills, is worn to celebrate their return to the village.