Lot 243: A fine Pende Gitenga face mask

Pende, D.R. Congo; H: 15" without feathers

Of simple abstract form, the tubular eyes composed of basketry, rising from the discoid mask. Remains of original red pigment; large feather headdress intact.

Comments:
Ascribed to have more supernatural power than the Pende mbuya-type mask, Minganji masks also feature a variety of characters and take on various forms although all have the protruding cylindrical eyes and wear a netted fiber costume with raffia ruffs worn around the neck, waist, wrists and ankles. Minganji with a large circular facial area, such as this example, are of the Gitenga sub-variety, the grandfather or chief of all other Minganji masks and refers to the setting solar disk, a symbol of life and regeneration, while others of the Minganji series of masks embody death, uncertainty and darkness.



Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 37, Fig. 83

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

Price Realized: $1,600

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