A Songye kifwebe mask from the Democratic Republic of Congo, carved wood with black and white pigment. Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, length 98 cm
A Western Songye kifwebe mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This female kifwebe mask is carved from a single piece of wood with heavy linear incisions. Female masks are associated with the moon and are worn for moon rituals as well as during funerals…
A Luba kifwebe mask, Democratic Republic of Congo, kifwebe masks are used in initiations and played a role in establishing order in society, they were also used to cleanse the village from benevolent spirits. This mask is carved from wood and has a small…
Songye Bwandi Kifwebe mask Kenya, the large decorative mask with hooded downcast eyes and large central fin. Painted in bands of white orange and black, 58 x 17 cm
A large & fine Songe Kifwebe mask, the grooved pattern on the face of the mask is a common characteristic of a Kifwebe mask from the Songye tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central sub-Saharan Africa. The white paint in the grooves symbolizes…