Tribal Art

The African masks Kwele from Gabon have a concave face in which the reliefs consist of the almond-shaped squinted eyes and the triangular nose. Generally concealed in the line of the jaw, the mouth takes shape in a thin incision. Depending on the presence of horns and their arrangement, the masks are called pipibudzé, Ekuku zokou, etc...and are associated with ancestors or spirits of the forest, "ekuk".

Height on base: 41 cm. Velvety matte patina. Erosions and cracks.
Tribe of the Kota group, the Kwélé , Bakwélé , live in the forest on the northern border of the Republic of Congo. They live from hunting, agriculture and metallurgy. Practicing the cult called Bwété borrowed from the Ngwyes, which was accompanied by obligatory initiation rites, they used at the end ...

Kongo type miniature charm mask.
Dark patina, desiccation crack.

Height on base: 17 cm.
These mediating masks, also present in initiation processes, were used during healing rituals. In the 13th century, the Kongo people, led by their king Ne Kongo, settled in a region at the crossroads of the borders between the current DRC, Angola and Gabon. Two centuries later, the Portuguese came into contact with the Kongo and converted their king to Christianity. This king, also called ntotela, controlled the appointment of court and provincial officials. Belonging to the Kongo group, the Yombe are established on the West African coast, in the south-west of the Republic of Congo and in Angola.

Collection of African Belgian Tribal Art
Very popular with contemporary interior designers, the Ci Wara has become, in addition to a collector's item, an essential accessory for decorators who love sleek design. This one has a dark brown patina, having danced during the first half of the 20th century, forgotten at the bottom of a hut until 1988, it was collected by the collector in 1988 in Mali.
It would be an animal - genius called Ciwara who would have taught the Bambara to cultivate the land. The latter remember the myth through the stylized representation of an antelope antelope, whose name ci wara means "wild animal of the earth". Worn at the top of the skull and held in place by a kind of small basket, these crests accompanied the dancers during the rituals of the tòn, ...

The Ti-wara in African art.
"Antelope" mask with balanced concentrated proportions, very soberly embellished with friezes engraved on the forehead. Traces of kaolin, smooth, satin patina, medium brown.

It would be an animal - genius called Ciwara who would have taught the Bambara to cultivate the land. The latter recall the myth through the stylized representation of an antelope, whose name ci wara means "wild of the earth. Carried at the top of the skull and held in place by a kind of small basket, these crests accompanied the dancers during the rituals of the tòn, an association dedicated to agricultural work. The masks traversed the field while leaping in order to drive out from this one the nyama, malefic emanations, and to detect any danger, or to flush out ...

Mask equipped with its voluminous pointed headdress in woven raffia, the contours of which are lined with a thick fringe of fibers similar to hair. An adornment gathering bouquets of cowries crowns the mask which is also framed by long braids. Black satin patina.
The Dan masks, of various designs, generally occur during very theatrical entertainment parties where women play a preponderant role. The so-called "mocking" mask called Déanglé defines an ideal of beauty and benevolence because it is sculpted in honor of the young girls of the village or famous men. Each of the masks had a name related to its function. Also used during circumcision rites, they appear in the company of the gle sö singing masks and the large go ge masks relating to the go society, who exercises justice ...

The African masks nsembu , embodying the spirit of divination, appear in pairs during the rites of the nkunda , babankunda society. Characterized by its gaping, geometric features, this mask also offers a gridded surface of different shades of brown.
Satin patina. Height on base: 44 cm.
The Kumu , Bakumu, Komo, live primarily in the northeast and central Democratic Republic of Congo. Their Bantu language is Komo or Kikomo . Several ethnic groups are closely intertwined, with similar associations: the Mbole, Yela, Lengola, and Metoko. Their artistic production also has great similarities with that of the Metoko and Lengola. Their divination masks were exhibited at the closing ceremonies of the initiation and circumcision of the youth of the nkunda society. It is indeed ...

Helm mask surmounted by a figure of a dancer wearing a mangam zoomorphic mask symbolizing the buffalo. The ceremonial mangam masks of the "Mama", who make up within the same region a group of different origins and languages, are used by the members of a men's association responsible for maintaining the social order and to increase or promote agricultural production. Two-tone crusty patina. Desication cracks.
This mask whose horns symbolize fertility is danced during festivals in relation to agricultural fertility and sometimes human fertility.
The Mama buffalo masks are kept in the sacred wood and are brought back to the village to accompany the deceased into the world of the beyond or to participate in the enthronement of a chief.

Divided into contrasting tones, this ceremonial African mask is linked to the society of warriors and initiation rites. It was also exhibited at funerals in connection with the deceased's previous initiations, and for payment in many cases. The power of some masks was also so feared that their name alone caused women and children to flee. These masks are distinguished by their bulbous forehead, wide nose and mouth revealing cut teeth. Mate grainy patina, erosions.
Shunting and farming, warrior people, the Salampasu form a tribe of the Lulua group and are settled between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, east of the Kasai River. They are surrounded to the west and south of the Tschokwe and Lunda, and to the north and east of Kete and Lwalwa. A hierarchy of masks, simple ...

This mask forms a miniature reproduction of a large mask of the Gelede society, a human head surmounted by a stage, in this case a figure of seated deity, leaning on two sticks, or a priestess of worship. Aimed at an individual use, this type of object stood on the family altar. Satin light brown patina.
The Gelede country in Nigeria pays tribute to the mothers, especially the oldest of them, whose powers would be comparable to those of the Yoruba gods, or orisa, and the ancestors, osi and who can be used for the benefit but also for the misfortune of society. In the latter case these women are named aje . Masked ceremonies, through performances using masks, costumes and dances, are supposed to urge mothers to use their extraordinary qualities for a peaceful and constructive ...

This mask cut in a round volume is used during the initiation rites of the Bwami society. This is open to both men and women. The passage of a grade indicated the acquisition of a certain individual wisdom and morality.
Satin patina, kaolin residue. erosions. Height on base: 37 cm.
Within the Léga, the Bwami society, open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following their exodus from Uganda during the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the DRC. Social recognition and authority had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and irreproachable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, the ...

In African art, African masks sowei form an idealized representation of female beauty through Mende culture. They embody aquatic spirits. This cephalomorphic mask forms a copy of the type of masks named bundu the most important in the Mendes. The face has a high bulging forehead forming the upper half, while the narrow features are concentrated in the lower part. The face seems to be engulfed in a neck where the folds appear an abundance of flesh, a symbol of prosperity. From the top, between the fins of the hairstyle, springs a cephalomorphic figure worn by an equally ringed neck.
Peint in black or tinted with a brush of leaves, the mask was then rubbed with palm oil. Velvet matte patina, Ochre residual inlays, erosions, slight desication cracks.br>The Mende, Vaï and Gola cultures ...

Among the range of African masks listed among the Dogon, this example of classical geometric structure is extended in height by a flat protuberance. Beautiful patina of grainy and abraded use. Desication cracks.
The Dogon people are renowned in African tribal art for the myths and beliefs relating to their cosmogony.
Its population is estimated at around 300,000 souls living in the southwest of the Niger loop in the Mopti region of Mali (Bandiagara, Koro, Banka), near Douentza and part of northern Burkina (north- west of Ouahigouya). The most famous of their masks are the Kanaga, Sirigé, Satimbé, Walu. Most of them are used by circumcised initiates of the Awa society, during funeral ceremonies. Some represent animals, in reference to the rich mythology of African Dogon art. ...

Carved in dense wood, the features of this mask compose a neutral yet powerful physiognomy accentuated by the contrast of colors. Heavy white-coated eyelids draw attention to protruding cheeks and a projecting mouth. Polychrome patina.
The Luo, Kuria, Haya and Ziba, the Kéréwé, Karagwé, Sukuma and Nyamézi are settled in the west central and central region of Tanzania. The Nyamwezi, Nyamézi,("western people" and sometimes "moon people ") form the largest group among the tribes living in north central Tanzania. Coming from diverse origins, although sharing the same cultural specificities, their ritual and artistic production consequently presents very different formal aspects. The cult of ancestors and chiefs, of major importance within their culture, marked their statuary.

Ex-collection of African art Mercier.
Among the most emblematic African masks, this mask from the Ivory Coast stood out among the eleven types of dan masks (Fisher and Himmelheber) thanks to its hollowed-out eyes. circular to allow better vision. These masks called gunye ge "racing masks", with an oval face and a slightly concave center, were produced among the northern Dan and intended to participate in racing events. The zapkei intervene to prevent the spread of domestic fires during dry seasons. Armed with a wand, they threaten reckless women and confiscate an object as a fine.
Height on base: 37 cm.
An entertainment mask for the populations of Dan farmers in the north-west of Côte d'Ivoire, known as Yacouba, he is also sometimes found as a messenger at the time ...

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This African Bambara mask is topped by a stylized crest. The eyes, framed by circular ears, are set under a bulbous forehead decorated with fine scarified patterns, while an imposing busted nose dominates narrow prominent lips.
The smooth, lustrous patina is adjacent to residues encrusted with light pigments.
Native restoration at the top.
The Bambara , Bamana , are found in central and southern Mali. The name means "unbeliever" and was given to them by the Muslims. They belong to the large Mande group, like the Soninke and Malinke. Animists, they also believe in the existence of a creator god generically called Ngala, who has 266 sacred attributes.
His existence coexists with another androgynous god called Faro, master of the Word, who gave ...

The African masks Dyommo with curved ears of a hare, were intended for young initiates who danced with agility and flexibility. The dance symbolizes the cunning of the animal against the hunter. The hare is also very present in Dogon tales and myths. The masks were regularly repainted on the occasion of new celebrations, here with natural orange and grey pigments on a cream background. Erosions at the top. Height on base: 52 cm.
The Dogon people are renowned in African art for the myths and beliefs relating to their cosmogony.

This large African mask of the Ngbaka wears the traditional keloids of the ethnic group. The large mouth is dentate. Polychrome patina, white clay residue. A tribe settled on the left bank of the Ubangui river, the Ngbaka practice agriculture, and their artistic achievements were inspired by those of neighboring tribes Ngbandi and Ngombe, with a distinctive feature however, the front line dotted with linear keloids. They are organized in tribes without political unity, under the tutelage of the chief wan and worship a god named Gale through the worship of the spirits of nature. Young people are prepared for adulthood through rituals called "gaza" and trained by former initiates, the bugaza. Their statues generally represent the primordial ancestors Setu and his sister Nabo ...

Remarkable for its balanced volumes, the harmony of its features and the contrast of colours, this Punu African mask underlines the refinement of traditional sculpture linked to Bwiti rites. The hairstyle is arranged here in a spectacular curve composed of a high central shell extended laterally by oblong braids, the latter emphasizing the contours of the face. Minor abrasions.
The white African masks of Gabon, itengi, (pl. bitengi) were associated with the various secret societies of Gabon, including the Bwiti, Bwete, and the Mwiri ("to lead" ), the latter being spread over several levels of initiation, to which all the Punu men belonged, and whose emblem was the caiman (hence, for some, the pattern with saurian scales). The mask, evocation of a deceased young woman, was exhibited ...

This African Bwa mask is topped with a plank and a male figure carved in round-bump. Decorative engravings adjoin with a hooked beak evoking the bird. According to Gabriel Massa and Chantal Dewé, the concentric circles symbolize the original sacred wells, the triangles the footprints of the antelopes, and the curved hooks the calao, an animal associated with divination. Dry and abraded matte patina.
The African art sculptures of the Bobo, Bwa, Kurumba and Mossi, living in Burkina Faso, frequently pick up and combine stylized elements borrowed from humans, animals or insects. It is the spirits of nature that are supposed to determine the well-being and prosperity of an individual, and adversity will be seen as the result of neglect of collective rites. It is therefore during ...

Reduced version of the large shoulder mask it features a classic decoration of upholstery nails highlighting the reliefs of the sculpture. This type of mask wandered on a pole, the porters hidden under raffia fibers or under fabrics. Beautiful patina of use.
Mêlés aux Nalu and Landuman , the Baga live along the coasts of Guinea-Bissau in areas of swamps flooded six months a year. They believe in a creative god called Nagu, Naku, which they do not represent, and which is accompanied by a male spirit whose name is Somtup. Apart from the famous Nimba mask, they have created a powerful mask, hybrid snake, gazelle, chameleon and crocodile, with the aim of communicating with the spirits of the forest. The face of the Baga Nimba mask is characterized by a buzzed nose evoking a bird's beak, ...

Large-scale traditional mask, from the north of the island of New Ireland, in Papua New Guinea, Oceania. It was used as part of Malagan rites, commemoration of the dead, or for semi-secular ceremonies. This type of mask was not necessarily worn, but exhibited. Framed by pendant earrings, the face, of great expressive force, offers a wide open, toothed mouth, hollowed out half-moon eyes. The impressive crested headdress develops on a wickerwork frame and consists of a raffia crest, underlined on either side by braids of vegetable fibers fixed in parallel, then by a trim of human hair. The hairstyle refers to that, partially shaved, of young boys during the period of mourning. A matte polychrome paint comes in various patterns on the surface of the mask.