Mbangu distorted mask – Wood – Pende – Congo

Distorted faces are rarely depicted in African art. For the Pende, they represent the effect of an epileptic seizure, which was thought to be a manifestation of the spirits. The use of black pigments emphasizes the overall distortion of the faces.
Good condition with a nice aged patina.

Face is half black, half white
White symbolic of spirits of the dead (represents hope of illness cure)
Black symbolic of sickness and illness
Good condition with a fine patina of age. Provenance: former private German collection.