Lot: 306

93rd Tribal Art Auction

Sickness mask "mbangu"

D. R. Congo, Pende

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Hubert Pettenkofer, Passau, Germany H: 11.4 inch sold

wood, raffia bast,
"Mbangu" demonstrates how even the most esteemed and upright member of the community can unexpectedly be afflicted with sickness. In this case, the Pende believe that the individual is a victim of sorcery, bewitched by a rival who jealously inflicted him with disease.