Mbangu mask (sickness mask), Pende, Congo.

The mask is recognized by an opposition of black and white that bisects the face and a general distortion of facial features specifically the twisted
nose and mouth. The color white, symbolic of the spirits of the dead, in this case represents the hope of being cured of illness. The black pigment
stands for the sickness and illness that ravages one throughout life. The combination of black against white symbolizes this struggle. It is very rare in
Africa to find any work of art that depicts an individual strickened by sickness,infirmity or any type of disease.

It is believed that disease can be brought about by an act offending spirits of ancestors and is often viewed as a punishment. Thus, many objects
showing disease are used to instruct the community and to caution against destructive behavior. This is especially true of masks, which are danced
to teach or remind members of the community about rules and responsibilities. A selection of Nigerian Ibibio and Congolese Pende masks underline
the connection between disease and moral values.

Disease is also attributed to sorcery. Sorcerers are believed to be capable of activating malevolent forces against individuals, families or the
community, often in the form of physical or mental illness.

Forming a sharp contrast with sculptures showing the ideal of health, other figures and masks represent a range of physical deformities caused by
disease and mental imbalance.

The mbangu mask is a variation on the representation of a highly regarded hunter who has been stricken with facial paralysis. It demonstrates how
even the most esteemed and upright member of the community can unexpectedly be afflicted with sickness. In this case, the Pende believe that the
individual is a victim of sorcery, bewitched by a rival who jealously inflicted him with disease. This mask teaches Pende audiences about the rewards
of good behavior and of the pitfalls of those who are morally flawed. (Sources: To Cure and Protect)
Pende mbangu sickness mask
Pende mbangu sickness mask
Pende Mbangu mask
10.5" tall


This mask is not in my collection, it is in the Geller Collection
ex Lefebvre Collection, France
(photos L. Lefebvre)
Pende mbangu sickness mask
Pende mbangu sickness mask
Pende mbangu sickness mask
Pendu mbangu mask
Wood, pigment
9" tall x 7" wide
This mask is also in the Geller Collection
Other examples of Pende masks for reference purposes
Pende mbangu sickness mask
PENDE, DRC early 20th c, Mbangu Face Mask
Horniman Museum, London, Johnson Photo
Pende mbangu sickness mask
From the book: To Cure and Protect
Wood and pigment. H. 11 in. Private collection
Pende mbangu sickness mask
From the book: To Cure and Protect
Wood and pigment. H. 13 in. Donald Morris Gallery, Inc
Pende mbangu sickness mask
From the book: To Cure and Protect
H. 13 in. Jeff Soref

These three masks, named mbangu, are variations on the representation of a highly regarded
hunter who has been stricken with facial paralysis. This mask demonstrates how even the
most esteemed and upright member of the community can unexpectedly be afflicted with
sickness. In this case, the Pende believe that the individual is a victim of sorcery, bewitched by
a rival who jealously inflicted him with disease. In performance, the mbangu mask is danced
with a whole cast of character types, from clown to sorcerer and prostitute. These masks teach
Pende audiences about the rewards of good behavior and of the pitfalls of those who are
morally flawed. The black and white painting refers to the scars of someone who fell into fire
due to epilepsy or some other medical condition
Sotheby's - New York
African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art
Auction Date : May 12, 2005

Lot 82 :  PROPERTY FROM A NEW YORK PRIVATE COLLECTION A PENDE MASK

Description
carved from lightweight wood, of broad proportions, the pointed chin beneath the open mouth
baring filed teeth, the typical upturned nose bisecting the heavy-lidded downcast eyes
beneath arched brows and wearing a headdress, '1405' in white pigment at the reverse; aged
surface of yellow ochre, white and black pigment.

PROVENANCE
Ernst Anspach, New York, no. 1405

Dimensions
height 13 1/2 in. 34.5cm


Estimate:
$ 12,000 - $ 18,000
Sotheby's - New York
African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art
Auction Date : Nov 11, 2004

Lot 122 :  A PENDE DEFORMATION MASK

Description
of overall angular, hollowed form and pierced around the rim, the chin with indigenous repair
beneath the upturned mouth and finely ridged, curving nose framed by heavy-lidded, downcast
eyes and arching brows; aged surface with black pigment and kaolin.

Dimensions
height 9in. 23 cm


Estimate:$ 7,000 - $ 10,000  
Price Realized:$ 14,400

Provenance
PROPERTY OF VARIOUS OWNERS

J-P Lepage Gallery, Brussels
Sotheby's - New York
African and Oceanic Art
Auction Date : Nov 16, 2001

Lot 137 :  A rare Eastern Pende, Mombolo, Tshikapa region, mask

Description
A rare Eastern Pende, Mombolo, Tshikapa region, mask of hollowed angular form, the
concave heart-shaped facial plane terminating in a pointed chin, with raised hollowed oval
mouth, broad nose and asymmetrical pierced coffee bean eyes beneath arching browns, and
covered with a repeating pierced dot motif; fine and varied encrusted red ochre patina. height
12 1/4 in. (31.1cm.) Cf. De Smet (1999: 26) for related examples of other Pende dance masks
which were created as pathological masks depicting illnesses, such as this mask which
portrays 'chicken-pox'.

Dimensions
height 12 1/4 in. (31.1


Estimate:$ 8,000 - $ 12,000  
AFRICAN AND OCEANIC ART
SALE N07845  AUCTION DATE

SESSION 1 | 15 Nov 02 10:15 AM.

LOCATION
New York  

LOT 58

Property from a Canadian Collection
A PENDE MASK

estimate 7,000—10,000 USD
Lot Sold.  Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium:   6,572 USD

MEASUREMENTS
height 22in. 55.9cm

DESCRIPTION
giwoyo, muyombo, , or kinjinga, of hollowed and chin elaborately incised in geometric patterns with a medial ridge
leading to the facial plane with heavy-lidded eyes framed by an arching brow and demi-lune ears leading to a cap-
like coiffure with a knob at the crown; aged surface of white, black and red ochre pigment.


Provenance:
B. Kernerman, Toronto, December 14, 1971  
SOTHEBY'S ART AFRICAIN ET OCÉANIEN, AFRICAN AND OCEANIC SALE
SALE PF3015  AUCTION DATE 05 Dec 03 2:30 PM.

LOCATION Paris
LOT 150

LOT 150 PROVENANT D'UNE COLLECTION ANGLAISE
MASQUE FACIAL, PENDE CENTRAUX, RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

Estimate 2,000—3,000 EUR
Lot Sold.  Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium:   2,280 EUR

MEASUREMENTS
haut. 29 cm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Le masque a conservé son couvre chef de raphia, prolongé au dos par une longue natte en fibres végétales. Le visage se caractérise par
ses traits anguleux; front projeté, petit nez proéminent, lignes des yeux mi-clos et des sourcils dessinant deux courbes inversées, oreilles en
triangles, double scarifications formant virgules, menton pointu. Les trous bordant la partie inférieure du masque servaient à y fixer une
épaisse frange de fils de raphia. Surface marron rehaussée de noir et de kaolin.

CATALOGUE NOTE
Le couvre chef de raphia permettait au danseur de maintenir le masque à l’oblique sur le front. Ce masque pota ou ginjinga était porté
dans des danses diurnes, visible par tous. Il était accompagné d’un très lourd costume de fibres couvrant entièrement le corps du porteur.
Celui-ci exécutait une chorégraphie dans laquelle il devait faire la preuve de sa vigueur et de son endurance (Z.S. Strother, in : Trésors d’
Afrique, Musée de Tervuren, 1995, pp. 314-315)

The raffia headdress allows the dancer to wear this mask obliquely on his forehead. This mask, called pota or ginjinga is danced during a
diurnal ceremony and is seen by all. It is accompanied by a very heavy fiber costume covering the entire body of the wearer. The
choreography of the dance also demands great endurance and is designed to test ones vigour and strength (Z.S. Strother, in: Trésors
d'Afrique, Musée de Tervuren, 1995, pp. 314-315).
A Pende mask - photo source :Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives
There are more Pende masquerader photos in the archives
Pende Mbangu mask
13" tall x 9" wide
Ex private collection, Rhode Island
Mid 20th century

An overall FANTASTIC mask, one of my favorite ones I have come across.
THIS MASK IS NO LONGER IN MY COLLECTION, it has been sold on www.RandTribal.com
THE MASKS BELOW ARE NOT IN MY COLLECTION
THEY ARE FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES