LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June African & Oceanic Art Auction #645  / 

48249

Yaka (Dem. Republic of Congo), Half-helmet Mask

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Ethnographic Start Price:1,150.00 USD Estimated At:2,300.00 - 2,700.00 USD
Yaka (Dem. Republic of Congo), Half-helmet Mask
<B>Yaka (Democratic Republic of Congo)</B></I><BR>Half-helmet Mask (<I>mbala</B></I> or <I>kholuka</B></I>)<BR>Wood, pigment, cloth, fiber<BR>Height: Center point to chin: 18 inches Width:Face: 6 inches<BR><BR>These arresting creations are characteristic of the Northern Yaka, whose masks are used in connection with the circumcision and coming-of-age rites known as <I>mukanda</B></I> or <I>n-khanda.</B></I> These rituals strictly discipline adolescent males, bringing them into the various aspects of adult social behavior and responsibility. The various masks that appear during the initiation sequence guarantee the future fertility of the young males, and protect that fertility. It is this aspect of initiation focus that most frequently is alluded to in <I>mbala</B></I> masks, which are worn by the <I>n'langala</B></I> or camp leader. The exaggeratedly <I>retroussé</B></I> nose seen on this face is derived from the trunk of the elephant, which animal the Yaka admire for the way its trunk can reach into difficult places or root in the ground. As in many <I>mbala</B></I> masks, this example combines a painted carved wood face (which has a hidden handle below the chin to help the wearer steady and support it); a superstructure of woven fiber over a framework, also painted; and a large ruff of loose raffia.<BR><BR>While the overall condition is good, the center upper pointed "cap" is loose, and some of the bracing cords are loose or missing. There is light overall pigment loss on the cloth upper part.<BR><BR>Provenance: Nigel Wolff, Washington, D.C.<BR>H. Bruce Greene II and family, Naples, Florida<BR><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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