Rare round miniature mask of the Kifwebe society. Luba, D.R. Congo. H 12cm. With a narrow nose continuing over the forehead, protruding rectangular mouth and narrow eyes without slits with lowered lids; completely covered with curved concentric groove decoration. The Kifwebe is a society (Bwadi Ka bifwebe) in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was probably founded in the northern Shaba province (Katanga), where Songye and Luba groups intermingle. Both groups claim that it was founded by them, which is why the Songye dancers speak Kiluba and the Luba dancers speak Kisongye during their performances. The society serves as a control mechanism for the ruling elite, giving them economic and political power. The kifwebe masks, whose linear patterns are said to allude to history, power and a range of other esoteric meanings, are incarnations of bizarre heterogeneous beings for the society and one of its most powerful instruments alongside witchcraft (buchi) and magic (masende), which is malevolent and can be received from the spirits of the dead. Carved miniatures of the Kifwebe society, such as the one offered here, were primarily used as talismans or fetishes that possessed supernatural powers to bridge the gap between the visible material world and the invisible spirit world. Minimally damaged, crack on the back, holes on the forehead for fastening, brownish, partially shiny patina. Provenance: ex Henning Schmeikal, Holle; Hans D. Rielau, Hösbach; ex Zemanek-Münster, auction 85, Würzburg 4.3.2017, lot 95.