Rome, Italy
Terms of sale
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saturday may 30 2020, 4 pm CET
The auction has ended
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LOT 307:
A TEXTILE, LEATHER, COWRIE SHELLS, BEADS AND HAIR 'MUKENGA' ROYAL MASK
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Start price:
€
550
Estimated price :
€550 - €650
Buyer's Premium: 25%
More details
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A TEXTILE, LEATHER, COWRIE SHELLS, BEADS AND HAIR 'MUKENGA' ROYAL MASK
Democratic Republic of the Kongo, Kuba
50 cm high
Provenance: Vittorio Bellini (1936-2009) collection.
The 'mukenga' masks are among the most spectacular objects created by the Kuba culture, closely connected with the highest social hierarchies of the community. They are representations of the elephant, an animal that is associated with the royal world: the high central protuberance is evidently the tusk of the pachyderm, as well as the two smaller ones on the sides, which symbolize health and fertility respectively. The 'mukenga' were worn especially at the funeral of high dignitaries.
