Vintage African Bwoom Helmet Mask from the Kuba People of the Republic of Congo

Standing 21 inches tall including the custom made iron base this Shona head is carved in Serpentine stone originating in Zimbabwe. It is carved in a strikingly modern way stylizing a...

Judy Lawne (American, 20th century) 'James' from the series 'Soft Side of Men' Silver gelatin print. Signed and titled recto and verso. Image: 13.25 x 16.75 in / 33.5 x 42.5 cm. Mat:...

Pair of vintage French 'X' Stretchered carved and painted benches. New upholstered. Never used, great looking.

Pair of rolled arm leather arm chairs. Shaped back and with loose cushions. Found vintage condition. Seat depth 19.25.

Wendell Castle, American (1932-2018). Unusual carved and lacquered wood console table raised on 4 triangular cone legs with a reverse curved top that has an attached inverted cone. S...

A pair of baroque style patinated iron pricket sconces. The two curved light arms extend from a circular convex wall plate ending in light holders with prickets for heavy candles. Th...

The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, beads, animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the middle Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very wide forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by motifs or dashes and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced carved in wood and then applied on the mask. To distinguish the forehead in different areas are used black and white beads to draw attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colors. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no holes for the eyes present; the mask must create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask include the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as Nnup. The real Kuba masks...

Residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people are true artisans whose craftsmanship fueled traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. Natural materials, in this case cowrie shells, hold a long history of use in African art often associated with beauty and spirituality. The Bwoom mask...

This graphic Songye Kifwebe mask has fine carved lines curved over the eyes and diagonal lines radiating from the nose and mouth in classic Kifwebe form. ...

Very beautiful mask with large pronounced eyes with the circular cavity shape. The mask depicts a nocturnal bird that can see in the darkness and manifest the presence of divinities ...

Woven painted basketry yam helmet mask from Papua New Guinea. Hollow woven form with traces of red and white pigments. Measures: 14 1/2 inches high, mid 20th century.

During their five hundred year history in the Southern Congo, the Basuku tribe developed a series of intricate rituals built around their skilled mask makers. This particular example was most likely carved in the likeness of a deceased chieftain. The artisan intentionally pronounced the eyes, cheeks, and chin to provide a terrifying test for young men as they underwent their rites for manhood. The Basuku's spiritual expressions inspired early 20th century western painters...