Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-2

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-3

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-4

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-1

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-5

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-6

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century-photo-7

Kifwebe Songye Mask, Drc – Late 19th / Early 20th Century

Songye Kifwebe Mask, D.R. Congo – late 19th / early 20th century

Important early Kifwebe mask from the Songye people, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Hand-carved wood with an old black patina, retaining visible vegetal fiber remains in the mouth opening.
Finely incised surface, pronounced central ridge and narrow eye slits, consistent with male Kifwebe masks.

This is a ritually used tribal mask, showing genuine signs of use: deep aged patina, natural wear on raised areas, and perimeter perforations originally used for attaching the costume.

Kifwebe masks were worn by members of the Bwadi bwa Kifwebe society, associated with ritual authority, initiation, and social regulation.

Height: 38 cm
Period: late 19th – early 20th century
Condition: good authentic condition, with wear consistent with age and ritual use

2 500 €