This mask called "Lilwa Nkoy", and is used by the secret society "Lilwa" at the end of the initiation period of young boys.
Mask presenting a face with geometric and minimalist features. Polychromy separates the face into three parts. Black for the bottom, white for the center with the eyes, the nose and the sides of the forehead and a yellow part forming a sort of diamond starting from the top of the head and going to the bridge of the nose. The circumflex accented eyes intensifies the look and suggests a certain knowledge and wisdom while reinforcing the meaning of the mask within the society of “Lilwa”. The Belgian colonial administration tried to ban this secret society in the years 1945-1946, but until now it continues to exist outside the law of the country. This is also one of the reasons for the rarity of these masks because they were hidden and used in very secret ceremonies.
Wood with patina of use, some wood-boring holes and cracks, pigments, two old illegible labels on the back of the mask.
H: 44cm
Mbole people, Opala territory, Democratic Republic of Congo.
First half of the 20th century.
Provenance: ex collection of Jean-Louis Lippert (Belgian writer), collected by his father, Mr. Charles Lippert. who returned from Congo in 1961 where he stayed for a long time in Stanleyville (Kisangani).
Sold with its base
Ref: EXBM09A4FN
| Ethnic group | Mbole - Bambole |
| Style | Tribal Art (African Masks of Tribal Art Style) |
| Period | 20th century (African Masks 20th century) |
| Country of origin | Congo |
| Height (cm) | 44 cm |
| Materials | Wood |
| Shipping Time | Ready to ship in 4-7 Business Days |
| Location | 69620, Ternand, France |
4 commitments to buy with confidence
English
Français 
Italiano 
Deutsch 
