Kifwebe - Songye - DR Congo

These masks, with polychrome streaks and presenting eyes, a nose and a mouth in strong relief as well as a sagittal crest, demonstrate that it is a male mask. Due to the Cubist stylization of the faces, as well as the graphic aspect of the motifs, these masks, among the most famous in African art, remain mysterious.

The term songye kifwebe generically means “mask” and it applies to several different types, the constant of which is the treatment of eyes with half-closed eyelids as well as facial streaks. These could evoke an animal, perhaps the bongo striped antelope or represent the trials of male initiation. Bifwebe (plural of kifwebe) are generally worn in pairs during dances featuring the spirits of the dead, men and women, supernatural forces and mysterious beings.
succession of light brown and black colors, beautiful patina with pronounced wear on the square mouth
average state of conservation at the back of the mask with lack of materials due to age wear
ex private Belgian collection with a label with number 1008 and a date March 22, 2000
fast and careful shipping by registered colissimo with tracking