Dagara Mask, Ngbaka, 19th ct., DR Congo

EUR 3.950,-
Belgian Collection
19th century
According to Artkhade VVV-058749 previously owned by Father Gustaaf Huelstaert and Cyrille Houzét.

Initiation face mask Dagara
Ngbaka
Democratic Republic of Congo
24 cm
Wood, metallized

Dagara initiation face mask from Ngbaka people. Dottet scarifications. 19th ct.

Story

Very old initiation mask DAGARA of the Ngbaka from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Oval shape, concave face with dotted scarification. The triangular nose is strongly abraded and covered with old patina. In the open mouth there are still single teeth made of metal strips. The pupils of the otherwise only indicated eyes are uneven and roughly drilled, the ears are also only indicated.

All in all a wonderful example for the simple yet strong interplay of forms and patterns of tribal art from the Congo.

Provenance

Father Gustaaf Hulstaert (1900-1990) began his missionary activity in the Belgian Congo in 1925.

The Belgian Cyrille Houzét (1921-2011) came to the Congo in the 1940s. There he met Father Gustaaf. Probably in the 50s he received some masks from Father Gustaaf.