Mask (Kifwebe), c. 1930s. Wood and paint, Overall: 71.2 cm (28 1/16 in.). Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1972.2. Copyrighted.

Mask (Kifwebe)

c. 1930s

Maker Unknown

African Art

Mask (Kifwebe), c. 1930s. Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Songye-style maker. Wood and paint; overall: 71.2 cm (28 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1972.2 The three-colored stripes on this kifwebe mask visually link it to powerful and dangerous animals including zebras, snakes, lions, and porcupines; not all of these animals are local to where the Songye peoples live.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Mask
Formatted Medium: Wood and paint
Medium: wood, paint
Dimensions: Overall: 71.2 cm (28 1/16 in.)
Departments: African Art
Accession Number: 1972.2
Credit Line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Exhibitions: Year in Review: 1972, Traditions and Revisions: Themes from the History of Sculpture
Rights Statement: Copyrighted