Lwalwa mask, Democratic Republic of Congo Wood H. 34 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 cubist volumes, the ovoid and concave face cut in the middle by a powerful straight nose, the pursed lips projected forward, the rectangular eyes, the temples marked by two pastilles in relief, the headdress decorated with zigzag motifs. Deep old red patina. Old collector's label glued to the chin. 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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