at African Antiques

African Art David Norden |Mail|map Sint  Katelijnevest  27. B2000 ANTWERPEN-Belgium. Tel +32 3 227 35 40
Discover the African Art books I like

Pende Sickness Mask

Mbangu mask. Central Pende. Bandundu, Zaïre. Wood, pigments, fibre. High: 32 cm
© David Norden,Antwerp

 Although his face shows signs of nerve paralysis, features characteristic of the Katundu style in the Pende region are still apparent: note the eyebrow line in the shape of an inverted "W"; the triangular nose and pointed chin. 

The mask comes from the Central Pende region in the Bandundu province, south of Zaïre. 

The mask shows that a curse can strike — like lightning — without warning. Onlookers see one of their own kind who has been rendered powerless, unable to shake off the curse that has struck him. 

In the past, mbuya masks were used to mark the end of circumcision rituals but today they play a more festive role. Within a group, actors take turns to dance and set the stage for different characters to appear: the chief, the lawmaker, the hunter, the village flirt, the priest, the witchdoctor, etc. Each is characterized by a specific dance step and a distinct rhythm. Mbangu appears as a hunchback who has been struck by an arrow. The masked dancer develops the dance in concert with the audience, who mock him while at the same time chanting an accompaniment. Provenance: Colonial collection. Collected before 1952.

A fine old sickness Pende mask.  This kind of mask inspired Picasso for his "demoiselles d'Avignon" and would be a nice addition to your mask collection.

High:32 cm.

Visit BuyAfricantiques.com for available items or send me a private email if you want to see a specific mask

Dear African Art Collectors,

African Antiques is the archive and not growing much anymore but still updated.

Visit African Art for recent African Art News.

For extended news about join our African Art Club and become an insider, to enter you'll need to pay a small monthly fee .

And if you are a collector of African Art, have a look at our exclusive African Art Collection .

David Norden

--------------------------------------

african art | home | african art shop

Mail David Norden
Sint-katelijnevest 27
ANTWERPEN-Belgium

Any questions?
Call us at +32 3 227 35 40

Jean-Paul Barbier-Mueller

In this section:
 

partners :

zemanek | Buy African Antiques  | discussion group En | groupe de discussion Fr

Books:

The Tribal Arts of Africa
Author: Jean-Baptiste Bacquart

African Art books I like

Sites Roll:

tribal tatoos | mint robot

African Art Amazon books | African Art Books

African Arts news , Oceanic, Pre-Columbian

African Art Club Join today, be an insider !

Buy African Art from known collections.

diamonds news is good news.

Is there life after ?

Also in this section :