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) |
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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) |
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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 |
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PENDE, DRC early 20th c, Mbangu Face Mask Horniman Museum, London, Johnson Photo |
From the book: To Cure and Protect Wood and pigment. H. 11 in. Private collection |
From the book: To Cure and Protect Wood and pigment. H. 13 in. Donald Morris Gallery, Inc |
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |