African art > African mask, tribal art, primitive art > Songye mask

Songye mask (N° 23457)

Large semi-helmet mask, with large bleached eyelids surrounded by linear checkerboard patterns, and projecting rectangular mouth. A border in crenellated relief borders the lower part. This mask seems to come from the Songye or the groups around them, Luntu, Tetela and Luba.
In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba, in Katanga and Kasaï. Their society is organized in a patriarchal way. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba, to whom they are related through common ancestors. Very present in their society, divination made it possible to discover sorcerers and to shed light on the causes of the misfortunes that struck individuals. The masked performances of male masks provided an opportunity to carry out punitive expeditions and maintain social order. The female masks, supposed to be equipped with divinatory faculties, activated by their dances the benevolent spirits.  

Watch the video

Sold 


This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity

Estimated shipping cost





OriginEx-collection belge
EthnySongye
Countryrdc ex zaire
Material(s)wood
Height cm41
Width25 cm
Weight0.80 Kg
Estimated datingcirca 1960

You could also be interested by these items

You must login to access these options
   Warn me if a similar item is added to the catalog
   Warn me if the price decreases
Manage my alerts


You have question on this item ? contact us


Previously viewed items
African art - Songye mask
African art  - 

© 2024 - Digital Consult SPRL

Essentiel Galerie SPRL
73A Rue de Tournai - 7333 Tertre - Belgique
+32 (0)65.529.100
visa Master CardPaypal