Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Songye peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A wonderful wood maskette panel of rectangular form, skillfully hand-carved and painted with white and black pigments. A stylized visage resembling a traditional mask of the Songye known as a kifwebe projects from the center of the panel, presenting closed, semi-circular eyes, a triangular nose, sunken cheeks, a protruding mouth held open as though mid-chant, and a square chin. Incised curvilinear striations adorn the expressive vizard, outlining the upper curve of the eyes with parallel lines that create a ripple effect and embellishing the cheeks and chin with diagonal stripes forming a zigzag motif. The lengthy sides of the panel curve gently inward while the area surrounding the mask is decorated with a border in the form of a 10-pointed shape. A drillhole at the top of the piece likely serves to suspend the panel for display. Size: 4.2" W x 10.3" H (10.7 cm x 26.2 cm); 13.6" H (34.5 cm) on included custom stand.

This example is possibly a miniature model of a traditional Songye gift shield and would have been hung in one's house as an icon for display.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#166765

Stable hairline fissure extending from top to about 1/4 way down panel. Expected surface wear with nicks and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with liberal remains of pigment and nice patina.