Ngbaka mask, Democratic Republic of Congo - Lot 10

Ngbaka mask, Democratic Republic of Congo Old label on back Wood, pigments, bone, plant fibers Dimensions: Height: 33 cm Width: 22.5 cm Provenance : French private collection _x001f_ --- Ngbaka Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo Old label on back Wood, pigments, bones, plant fibres Dimensions: Height: 33 cm Width: 22.5 cm Provenance : French private collection An oblong face with a fascinating and intriguing expression. Among the rare corpus of Ngbaka masks, this example stands out in particular for the typology of its features. The emaciated, stretched face is accentuated by the laterally-set eyes and flattened cheeks. The nasal bridge divides the face into two parts. The range of the eyes, hollowed out and oval-shaped, is intensified by the kaolin-enhanced rim. The rounded forehead is announced by a rigorous frieze of fine stripes. According to Meurant (in Grootaers 2007: 178 ff.), the Ngbaka (Ngbaka-minagende) "are the most important population group in the western Ubangi region, of which they occupy the center (Gemena). [...] The sculptures generally show the typical scarifications found on Ngbaka faces: a vertical line separating the face from the top of the forehead to the tip of the nose, lines (or chevrons) linking the ears to the eyes, and sometimes a horizontal line at the bottom of the forehead." The open mouth reveals teeth signified by remaining bones. The Ngbaka produce these masks called dagara, worn during initiation ceremonies (gaza or ganza). A rare example, with an antique label inside, probably from an inventory of a past collection. --- Oblong face, from which emerges a fascinating and intriguing expression. Among the rare corpus of Ngbaka masks, this specimen is particularly distinguished by the typology of its features. The emaciated, stretched face, whose finesse is accentuated by the treatment of lateral eyes and flat cheeks. The nasal ridge splits the face in two. The scope of the look with hollow eyes conforming to an oval shape, is intensified by the circumferential enhanced kaolin. The curved front is announced by a frieze striped strictly with fine stripes. According to Meurant (in Grootaers 2007: 178 et seq.), the Ngbaka (Ngbaka-minagende) "are the largest population group in the western Ubangi area, whose center (Gemena) they occupy. [...] The sculptures usually display the typical scarifications found on Ngbaka faces: a vertical line dividing the face from the top of the forehead to the tip of the nose, lines (or chevrons) joining the ears to the eyes, and sometimes a horizontal line at the bottom of the forehead. "The mouth between open reveals teeth signified by remaining bones. The Ngbaka produce these masks called dagara, worn on the occasion of initiation ceremonies (gaza or ganza). Rare copy, inside a burrow label probably past collection inventory. Slight rubbing, missing parts and marks all over the face. Good pigment conservation around the eyes. Cracks on the right side. ---- On the entire face, slight rubbing, gaps and traces. Good conservation of pigments around the eyes. Cracks on the right side.