Mask, Ritual, Bembe Style : 2015.2.24

Title:

Bembe Style, Dance Mask

Object Name:

Mask, Ritual, Bembe Style

Other Name:

Mask, Dance

Place of Origin:

Bembe Style, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

Provenance:

Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 24"
W = 18"
D = 5"

Traditional masks and headdresses of the eastern Bembe people of the Dem. Rep. of Congo (formerly Zaire) are recognizable for their concave, cupped orbits around the bulging "coffee—bean" eyes, the masks take several hauntingly beautiful forms.

Elanda masks, from the Elanda male association, most often have a rounded top and a flat bottom, with a spiritual, mysterious, but human face. Some with rounded faces are similar, but those with pointed beak—like chins and small tufts or horns represent bird or animal spirits. Several have multiple sets of eyes, one or two functioned as ceremonial shields.

Description:

Oval—shaped face, with large oval—shaped concave eye sockets and smaller oval—shaped pierced eyes. Long rectangular—shaped nose, extending from above mouth to very top of central forhead. Small oval—shaped slightly open mouth. Half circle—shaped grooves extending over entire facial area, except for eye sockets and upper lip. Cloth hair / beard, attached entire outer circumference of mask. Dark brown patina over entire facial area.

Collection:

Guy Mace Collection, (Turblex Company)

Material:

Wood W/Patina, and Cloth

Used:

Ritually Used

Technique:

Carving / Weaving / Painting

Owned:

Art Department, Missouri Southern State University

Accession#:

2015.2.24