Songye Kifwebe Mask

Songye Kifwebe Mask
Weathered hardwood, adorned with a large, protruding central crest that runs across the head.
Within the Bwadi bwa Kifwebe (the secret society of masks), a tall crest clearly indicates that this is a male mask. These masks were worn during lunar ceremonies, the funerals of important chiefs, or to enforce social control and discipline within the community.
The deep, parallel lines are carved into the hardwood and were traditionally filled with white pigment (kaolin). These lines symbolize, among other things, the cosmos, the labyrinth of initiation, or the traces of supernatural beings.
With its angular, cubist mouth and protruding eyes, this type of mask served as a major source of inspiration for European modernist artists such as Pablo Picasso in the early 20th century.
26 cm wide, 22 cm deep, and 62 cm tall
Signs of wear consistent with its age and use
Tribal art from the early 20th century, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo