African Art

African Art

Tribal Art – African Art

Very Old Mbala Mask Helmet Surmounted by a Bird

Mbala, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Late 19th – Early 20th Century

An impressive and very old Mbala helmet mask surmounted by a sculpted bird, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and dating from the late 19th or early 20th century.

Material: Carved wood with a deep aged patina and remnants of original pigments. Presented on a brass display base.

Measurements – mask alone, excluding stand:
Height: 29 cm (11 3/8 in.)
Width: 24 cm (9 1/2 in.)
Depth: 29 cm (11 3/8 in.)

Condition: Significant surface erosion and weathering consistent with prolonged exposure and age.

Provenance: Yves Créhalet Collection, Paris, France.

The Mbala people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo developed a distinctive sculptural tradition in which masks and carved figures played an important role in expressions of community identity, spirituality and ceremonial life. This remarkable helmet mask demonstrates the powerful visual vocabulary associated with Central African traditional art.

Carved from wood, this MBALA Mask Helmet presents strongly defined facial features beneath a bird dramatically positioned at its summit. Bird imagery appears in numerous Central African artistic traditions and can carry associations with the spiritual world, protection, authority or communication between different realms. The precise significance of the bird on this particular mask, however, cannot be established with certainty without additional documentation regarding its original ceremonial context.

Particularly compelling is the mask’s deep patina and extensively weathered surface. Remnants of pigments remain visible beneath areas of erosion, giving the object a remarkable archaeological and sculptural presence. Rather than diminishing the work, these traces of age contribute significantly to its character and testify to a long history before entering a European collection.

The bold proportions, expressive carving and imposing bird finial give this MBALA Mask Helmet an extraordinary presence when viewed from every angle.

Formerly in the Yves Créhalet Collection in Paris, this rare Mbala helmet mask combines sculptural strength, considerable age and distinguished provenance, offering a powerful example of historic African tribal art from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Price : 3,800.00

Materials / Techniques: Material: Wood, with a deep patina, remnants of pigments, mounted on a brass base.

Condition: Condition: Erosion due to weather exposure.

Measurements: Measurements (mask alone without stand): Height: 29 cm (11"3/8), Width: 24 cm (9.5"), Depth: 29 cm (11"3/8").