Songye Kifwebe Female Mask, AMBASSADORS COLL Start Price USD 900.00 Current Price USD 900.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 End Time Friday, November 07, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Songye Kifwebe Female Mask, AMBASSADORS COLL' Description Songye Kifwebe Female Mask DR Congo African MaskType of Object: Mask Ethnic Group: Songye Country of Origin: DR CongoMaterials: Wood, pigmentApproximate Age: Early 20th century Dimensions: Height is 19 inches Overall Condition: Very good Damage, Repair: cold chips at rimProvenance: From the Collection of Ambassador Patricia and Mr. Richard Hawkins. Ambassador Hawkins is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Togo. She has previously served the State Department in Zaire, now Democratic Republic of the Congo; Burkina Faso; and Cote D'Ivoire. Richard Hawkins is also a career Foreign Service Diplomat. Both of them have connoisseur's eyes. The Hawkins' have collected African art for many years, and we are delighted to offer a portion of their magnificent collection.Additional Information: A large female Kifwebe mask showing signs of long use and still in very good condition. This is the most famous of the Songye masks, made for the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe Secret society. "Kifwebe" means "Mask" in the Songye language. The face generally is covered with linear incisions which are sometimes pigmented, the mouth is most often square and protruding. If it has a central crest, it is masculine; if not, feminine. The size of the crest determines the magical power of the mask. During initiation, circumcision, or funeral ceremonies. Striated masks, or kifwebe, are used as agents of a tradition and figures of authority to exercise social and political control through practices of evil magic and witchcraft by the members of the bwadi bwa kifwebe society. Among the societies' public performances, three mask types exist: two grades of male and one female mask. Male masks are distinguished by a striated pattern of three colors while the female one is predominantly white with the features accented in black and some red... The Kifwebe tradition which exists also among the Luba, seems to have originated south of the eastern chiefdom in an area of Luba/Songe admixture. The Songe confirm this provenance by the interpretation that the kifwebe striations relate (apart from the zebra) to a pugnacious species of striped bushbuck antelope which inhabited the area.This mask would stand out in any collection for its sculptural qualities and for what it represents.  I have examined this piece and agree with the description.Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **041325** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!