Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Kuba Mweel Mask
About the Item
"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 Kuba Mweel Mask was used in ceremonial and cultural practices, namely representing the Kuba Creation Myth.
In the beginning there was only darkness, water, and the great god Bumba. Bumba, in pain, vomited the sun, drying up water to create land. He then vomited the moon, stars, animals, and humans. Bumba sent his sons, Woot and Bwoom, and their sister Mweel to bring culture to the Kuba. Woot, a wise ruler, introduced government, arts, and crafts. Woot led the Kuba and married Mweel. Bwoom, aggressive and jealous, battled Woot for Mweel's love and the throne."
AN OVAL FACE WITH PROMINENT, PROJECTING FEATURES. DEEPLY CARVED PATTERNS, LINEAR DESIGNS, AND OTHER GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS. ALMOND-SHAPED EYES SET LOW ON THE FACE, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS COWRIE SHELLS FASHIONED TO DRAPING FABRIC ALONG THE NECKLINE. CONDITION: WORN IN GOOD CONDITION WITH PARTIAL OF THE LEFT FLAG MISSING FROM THE MASK. PROVENANCE: FROM THE COLLECTION OF A NEW JERSEY ESTATE.
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Austin, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9603238065982
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2007
1stDibs seller since 2023
16 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: A week
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Austin, TX
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllKuba Bwoom Mask
Located in Austin, TX
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
Copper
Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask
Located in Austin, TX
Revel in the mystique of tribal artistry with this Early 20th Century Pende "Circumcision Ceremonial" Mask. This evocative piece, crafted meticulously by hand, showcases the profound...
Category
Early 20th Century Ivorian Masks
Materials
Wood
$448 Sale Price
62% Off
Chokwe Mask, Democratic Republic of The Congo 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
This exquisite mask, meticulously crafted by the Chokwe people, embodies both spiritual power and artistic finesse. Its design, rooted in tradition, carries layers of meaning that re...
Category
20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
Wood
14th To 16th Century Asian Jar/vessel (Possibly Khmer)
Located in Austin, TX
Introduce your space to a piece of ancient history with this ancient Asian Jar. Exuding aged charm and rustic features, this relic pays homage to antiquity, capturing the imagination...
Category
Antique 16th Century Cambodian Antiquities
Materials
Clay
$480 Sale Price
60% Off
Unity in Carved Wood
Located in Austin, TX
The sculpture stands tall—a testament to the artisan’s reverence for tradition and community. The wood, rich and weathered, bears the weight of generations. Its grain tells stories o...
Category
20th Century African Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$1,760 Sale Price
51% Off
Guatemalan Carved Wood Altar Figure of Angel (Gabriel), 18th century
Located in Austin, TX
Symbolism and craftsmanship aside, this Guatemalan Carved Wood Altar Figure of the Angel Gabriel from the 18th century holds within it an immense...
Category
Antique 18th Century Guatemalan Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$2,400 Sale Price
55% Off
You May Also Like
African Kuba Helmet Mask on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Helmet Mask known as Bwoon from the Kuba Tribe in the Kasai region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa circa mid-20th century. The carved wood mask was decorated with copper plates on the face, and lavished embellished with trade beads, raffia cloth with cowrie shells and hanging seed pods, fur possibly from monkey. The surface and the interior both display good patina indicates a native use (contact rubbing) and age.
Bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks...
Category
20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks
Materials
Copper
Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair
Located in Milano, IT
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...
Category
Antique 1620s Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood
$2,795 Sale Price
20% Off
Salampasu Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This ceremonial African mask is linked to the Salampasu people of the Bantu ethnic group located primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Salampasu masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art Masks
Materials
Wood, Bamboo
$980
Ndop Kuba Statue From The Kuba Ndengese Shoowa Tribe Dr Congo Kasaï African Art
Located in Leuven, BE
Exceptional royal Ndop statue From the Kuba / Ndengese / Shoowa tribe - DR Congo Kasaï region - Circa 1940-1950
Length = 56 cm
Perfect condition
Note : Image of individual kings
Alt...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
Hardwood
Dogon Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Dongon Tribal mask. Mali.
Category
Vintage 1970s Malian Masks
Materials
Wood
$2,450
Wooden tribal mask
Located in Munich, DE
Add a touch of culture with this striking wooden tribal mask. Its intricate design makes it a captivating decorative piece for any wall.
Category
Antique 19th Century Masks
Materials
Wood
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Masks Of Africa
Folk Art Sun
Ruler Wood
Battle Flag
Stars And Moon Furniture
Wood Carved African Faces
African Carved Face
Moon And Stars Vintage
Sun Moon Stars
Cowrie Shell
Peoples Republic Of Congo Art
Cowrie Art
African Mask Congo
Vintage Burlap Fabric
Kuba Mask
African Sun Mask
Estela Ogazon
Hand Carved Diablo Folk Mask