-40%
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]
ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]

ENORMOUS! OLD BEMBE Echwaboga Alung Society HELMET MASK (DRC) [Boston Primitive]

$ 422.4

Availability: 45 in stock
  • Culture: African
  • Condition: Wear and tear, general erosion , flaking kaolin, cracks and splits, completely intact with no losses or compromising damage
  • Modified Item: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Congo
  • Handmade: Yes

    Description

    I wouldn't want to have to wear such a thing; it weighs about 23 pounds! This auction  is a rare opportunity to acquire one of these monumental examples of Bembe artisanry.  It has obviously been used repeatedly and for a long time. Janus form, as these always are, it has two sets of concave and crossed eye surrounds, tiny plateaued lidless eyes and a mouth of the same design. On top there are two sets of thick curving horns, one for each face, and the sides have ears and knobs which may represent scarifications. Around the base are holes for attaching a huge ruff. It has a deep, honestly earned rough and weathered surface with much (stable) flaked kaolin. When not in use it was stored in a cave then taken out for certain ceremonies. This helmet mask is huge and heavy, weighing in at 23 pounds with a height of 19" and a diameter of 12". It is certainly museum-worthy. I have seen many, many multi-eyed Bembe face masks with rounded tops and flat bottoms - they are quite common - but in over 20 years of doing eBay I have never seen this type come up for sale or auction.
    This is going to be a bear to ship but I will absorb the shipping cost as part of its price.
    U.S. buyers please. [Boston Primitive]