Ex-collection African tribal art from France. This African mask Salampasu, covered with a network of copper strips, presents a very broad bulbous forehead with an undefined brow line. Triangular eyes direct the viewer to circular ears, and a nasal volume gradually widening toward the cheeks in the center of which revealing a slightly upturned tip revealing the oririfices of the nostrils. A simply hollowed rectangle serves as a gaping mouth in which the teeth are sculpted. The top cap is made of tinted wicker balls. The perimeter of the mask is lined with perforations in order to attach the raffia ornament that was to conceal the dancer during ceremonies linked to the warrior society and initiation rites. At funerals, masks could also be displayed in connection with the previous initiations of the deceased, in many cases for a fee. The power of some masks is so feared that their name alone can cause women and children to flee. Living from hunting and agriculture, the Salampasu are a warrior people, forming a tribe of the Lulua group and living between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, east of the Kasai River. They are surrounded to the west and south by the Tschokwe and Lunda, and to the north and east by the Kete and Lwalwa. A hierarchy of masks, simple wooden kasangu masks and copper-covered mukinka masks, was associated with the mungongo (pl. bangongo ) warrior society. The wearing of these masks depended on a large contribution of livestock, drink, or other material goods from the aspirant who was initiated into esoteric knowledge by other mask wearers. ( Africa , Prestel)
Sold for 390.00 € This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity
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