African Arts Gallery

Ex-French collection of African art The Biombo, a Kuba subgroup, live at the intersection of the Lulua and Kasai rivers in the DRC. It is during their initiation ceremonies and funerals that they use a specific African mask called cimwana, the latter presenting certain aesthetic characteristics recurring in the Kuba tribe, such as the use of patterns composed of triangular checkerboards in contrasting colors. Luba from Kasai, established among the Biombo, may also have influenced the style of their masks. This example carved from very dense wood and devoid of patterns displays contrasting color planes and a striated hairstyle in relief.
Abraded polychrome patina, losses, erosions and desiccation cracks.