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LOT 0278

Rare 19th C. African Azande Wood Mask Mani Society

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Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Azande, late 19th to early 20th century CE. Very rare, an Azande hand-carved wooden face mask with incredible encrusted, thick, deep patina. The finely carved face mask presents an expressive visage with openwork eyes and mouth, a broad forehead, a long, straight nose, and a narrow chin. This mask would have been used by the Mani society during funeral ceremonies. Interestingly, the secret Mani society has traditionally celebrated the significance of women. They create highly ornamented female statuettes called yanda to protect members from illness, evil spirits, and any danger. Masks like this example, however, are exceedingly rare! Size: 7.75" W x 9.125" H (19.7 cm x 23.2 cm)

Provenance: ex Dr. Peter Horvath, Florida and Massachusetts, USA; ex- Wallace collection, Florida, USA, 1988 to 2008; ex-Patric Didier Claes, Kinshasa, 1987

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#156726
Condition Report: Nicks and encrustations to face, peripheries, and verso, with a few stable hairline fissures along top periphery and mouth, otherwise intact and in fine condition; ritually trimmed beard. Perforated beside the eyes for wearing.

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Time, Location
16 Sep 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
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[ translate ]

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Azande, late 19th to early 20th century CE. Very rare, an Azande hand-carved wooden face mask with incredible encrusted, thick, deep patina. The finely carved face mask presents an expressive visage with openwork eyes and mouth, a broad forehead, a long, straight nose, and a narrow chin. This mask would have been used by the Mani society during funeral ceremonies. Interestingly, the secret Mani society has traditionally celebrated the significance of women. They create highly ornamented female statuettes called yanda to protect members from illness, evil spirits, and any danger. Masks like this example, however, are exceedingly rare! Size: 7.75" W x 9.125" H (19.7 cm x 23.2 cm)

Provenance: ex Dr. Peter Horvath, Florida and Massachusetts, USA; ex- Wallace collection, Florida, USA, 1988 to 2008; ex-Patric Didier Claes, Kinshasa, 1987

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#156726
Condition Report: Nicks and encrustations to face, peripheries, and verso, with a few stable hairline fissures along top periphery and mouth, otherwise intact and in fine condition; ritually trimmed beard. Perforated beside the eyes for wearing.

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Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
16 Sep 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock