Description
Realized in typical Central Pende style, this mask is believed to represent gambanda, the chief's wife. In light of Pende theories about gender and physiognomy, the mask is an ideal expression of a woman's facial features and thus reflects her calm, obedient, peaceful, and self-controlled demeanor. The intricate hairstyle consisting of hundreds of miniature twists imitates a once fashionable hairdo.
Provenance
Field-collected by Belgian territorial administrator, Maurice Matton, in the Bandundu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then still Belgian Congo) (1934); Ex collection Annie and Jean-Pierre Jernander, Brussels, Belgium (?–1996); (Drouot-Richelieu, Paris, France, lot 29, June 29, 1996, sold to private collection) (June 29, 1996); Private collection (1996–2008); (Sotheby's, Paris, France, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (2008); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2008–)
Accession Number
2008.150
Medium
Wood, plant fiber, and colorant
Dimensions
Overall: 27 x 22 x 28.5 cm (10 5/8 x 8 11/16 x 11 1/4 in.)
Classification
Mask
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
