African Arts Gallery

The masks Mfondo and Nkaki , with a barely dissimilar nasal profile, are difficult to differentiate, but the Mfondo would have a nose associated with the calao losing in the hairstyle. In this case the nasal ridge develops at the top of the forehead. Tricolour patina in light browns with dark satin. Shard on the top edge.
This is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Historically with a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after having been influenced by Luba and Songy, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The nkaki, wood-carved mulela mask, is one of four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors: These craftsmen, according to their merits, can become conductors and ...

The masks Mfondo and Nkaki , with a barely dissimilar nasal profile, are difficult to differentiate. The Nkhaki would have a nose that gets lost in the hairstyle, sometimes protruding in a ridge. It is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Having historically had a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after undergoing the Luba and Songye influence, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The male mask nkaki, carved in wood mulela, is one of the four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors: These craftsmen, according to their merits, can become chiefs and organize dances, including the balango,(also bangongo) during which acrobatics are performed by young ...

African masks Lwalwa, Lwalu.
It is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Historically having a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after being influenced luba and songye, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The male mask nkaki, nkaaki, carved from wood mulela, is one of four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors. These craftsmen, according to their merits, can become conductors and organize dances, including the balango, during which acrobatics are performed by young dancers. These masks are then displayed, or worn during initiation ceremonies, or to soothe the spirits after an unsuccessful hunt.
A conical hairstyle painted with geometric patterns overcomes a ...

Small ritual sculpture depicting a woman whose face evokes the mask Mfondo or Nkaki. Lwalwa statuary, rare, is linked to the fertility rites of the secret female society. Clear mahogany satin smooth patina. Cracks and abrasions.
This is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Historically with a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after having been influenced by Luba and Songy, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The nkaki, wood-carved mulela mask, is one of four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors: These craftsmen, according to their merits, can become conductors and organize dances, including the balango, (also bangongo) during which acrobatics are performed by ...

The aesthetics of African art Lwalwa.

This is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Historically with a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after having been influenced by Luba and Songy, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The nkaki male mask, carved in mulela wood, is one of four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors. These craftsmen, according to their merits, can become chefs and organize dances, including the balango, during which acrobatics are performed by young dancers. These masks are then displayed, or worn during initiation ceremonies, or to soothe the spirits after an unsuccessful hunt.

A conical headdress with geometric patterns ...

pure symmetry for this African mask where a conical hairstyle incised with geometric patterns overcomes an imposing rectangular nose. The look, stretched, is made up of rectangular spaces highlighted by grooves. The chin ends in a point under a geometric mouth. The hollow of the ears is encased with red ochre pigments. Velvety light brown patina.
It is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Historically having a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after being influenced luba and songye, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The male mask nkaki, carved in wood mulela, is one of four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors: These craftsmen, according to their merits, ...