This mask was carved in the style of a ngady mwaash mask of the Kuba people of DR Congo. The mask was decorated with cowrie shells, colorful beads and geometric painted patterns on the face. It measures 12 inches tall and weighs 2.5 pounds. There is scuffing and wear and tear throughout – please inspect photos. Stand not included but one can be added for an additional charge.
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Kuba Ngady Mwaash Style Mask 12″ – DR Congo – African Art
Original price was: $395.00.$355.50Current price is: $355.50.
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| Type of Object | Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | DR Congo |
| Ethnicity | Kuba |
| Material | Wood, pigment, vegetable fiber, fabric, shells, beads |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height | 12" |
| Width | 7" |
| Depth | 11.5" |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout. |
Tribe Information
About the Kuba People
“During the 16th century, the Kuba migrated from the north and settled between the Sankuru and Kasai Rivers. Today, they number 250,000 and are subdivided into a number of tribes – the Bushoong, the Ngeende, the Kete, the Lele, the Binji, The Dengese, the Mbuun and the wongo. Each clan pays tribute to the Nyim, the king of the Bushoong ruling clan, but their internal affairs are dealt with autonomously. The Bushoong king and his court lived in a closed palace, known as the Mushenge. The king was responsible for the wealth and fecundity of his people.
Each clan within the Kuba kingdom produced artistic objects with specific characteristics, but there are common stylistic features, including predilection for incised geometric decoration. Cups, zoomorphic divination instruments and boxes were produced throughout the realm.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
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Additional Information
About the Ngady Mwaash mask
Ngady Mwaash is a female royal mask. She is believed to be the wife and sister of Woot (the first man on earth) and is the essence of womanhood.
Red coloring on this mask would suggest suffering while white stands for mourning. Blue would designate a high rank or status. Tears of hardships of women would be indicated by lines under her eyes. Beadwork strips covering her mouth symbolize the silence of women. Even though this mask portrays a woman, it would be worn by a man during funerary and initiation ceremonies.
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