Lwalwa mask, Democratic Republic of Congo Wood H. 31 cm Provenance : - Brought back in the 1930s by Mr. Pierre Rocaglia on the occasion of a mining prospecting campaign in the Congo, it has remained in the family ever since. Beautiful old Ngongo mask depicting a face with powerful features and cubist volumes, the ovoid, concave face cut in the middle by a long, straight nose, rectangular eyes, temples marked by two pastilles in relief, the headdress decorated with zigzag motifs. Old black patina. This type of mask was once used by the Ngongo, a very closed society responsible for initiation and circumcision ceremonies for young men.

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