Suku Helmet Mask with Animal Congo African Art

Description

Title
Suku Helmet Mask with Animal Congo African Art
Type of Object
Helmet Mask
Country of Origin
DR Congo
People
Suku
Materials
Wood. pigment, paint, raffia fiber
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
13
Width (in)
10
Depth (in)
11
Other Dimensions
Height: 13 Inches
Width: 10 Inches
Depth: 11 Inches
Overall Condition
Fair to Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
Missing horn on animal head on top, worn patina on face, chipped ear, wear
Additional Information:
The Suku, whose art closely parallels that of their more populous neighbors, the Yaka, number around 80,000. They extensively use masks to promote success in hunting and to venerate ancestors. The helmet mask presented here, with its white face and blue vertical "scarification" marks, probably originates from the northern part of Suku territory, as the southern artists use quite different color schemes.
In many cases, Suku helmet masks are surmounted by animal and human figures. Usually the Suku mask may be differentiated from other masks by the use of white paint for the face, as well as by the presence of blue pigments for the eyelids, and vertical scars beneath the eyes. Some, like the one illustrated, are carved with a raised hair crest, carefully worked with incised circles. The strongly carved face would have been painted white at some point in the past, with small vertical markings under the eye in blue or black. The detailing of the eyes and the line that separates the face and hair are evidence the work of a skilled carver. A large grass ruff would have been attached to the lower part of the mask producing a startling visual effect. This style of mask, known as
Hemba,
comes from the Kasongo Lunda zone of the Suku, close to another major and influential people the Holo. Each
Hemba
has it own name deriving from the character it plays during the performances. "Hemba" masks are reportedly images of deceased elders, notably chiefs of the maternal lineage. They are used mainly used during the initiation of young boys (mukanda) where their main role is to educate, entertain, and celebrate the new adults. They are also associated to other rituals. They dance to insure luck in the hunt, to punish criminals, and for healing ceremonies.
Recommended Reading:
For more information and fine examples, see Kerchache, et al, "Art of Africa".
**104191**
All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2021
Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than 5,000 in charity auctions.
Customer Service
: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!
Handling Time
: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.
Returns
: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card.
Combining Shipping
: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order.
When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card.
U.S. Shipping
: Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials used is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. .
International Shipping
: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
Newsletter, previews and special offers
: Sign up for our newsletter
Go to Africa Direct Store