Hemba — Democratic Republic of the Congo
19th century
Wood
Height: 4⅞ in (12.4 cm)
Provenance: London trade; Monika Wengraf Hewett, London; Arcade Arts, London (old label on base)
Among the Hemba, this mask type is known as mwisi gwa so 'o — a term that alludes to the spirit-invested presence of the chimpanzee inhabiting the object. The oval form is dominated by a strong central ridge running from crown to chin, deeply hollowed eye cavities beneath a heavy overhanging brow, and a serrated edge running around the perimeter of the face. The mask was used in funerary contexts, where the chimpanzee — associated with the world of the dead and with forces beyond ordinary human experience — served as an intermediary presence.
The ancient dark patina and compact scale give the mask a concentrated formal authority. The provenance through Monika Wengraf Hewett and Arcade Arts, London, places it within a documented British collecting context for Central African material.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Hemba — Democratic Republic of the Congo
19th century
Wood
Height: 4⅞ in (12.4 cm)
Provenance: London trade; Monika Wengraf Hewett, London; Arcade Arts, London (old label on base)
Among the Hemba, this mask type is known as mwisi gwa so 'o — a term that alludes to the spirit-invested presence of the chimpanzee inhabiting the object. The oval form is dominated by a strong central ridge running from crown to chin, deeply hollowed eye cavities beneath a heavy overhanging brow, and a serrated edge running around the perimeter of the face. The mask was used in funerary contexts, where the chimpanzee — associated with the world of the dead and with forces beyond ordinary human experience — served as an intermediary presence.
The ancient dark patina and compact scale give the mask a concentrated formal authority. The provenance through Monika Wengraf Hewett and Arcade Arts, London, places it within a documented British collecting context for Central African material.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
