Masque en bois, du Congo. De la tribu songe.
25 h. 23 w. 11 profondeur.
Hello, this item is a carved wooden mask in the style of the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The elongated central ridge nose, slit eyes, and rhythmic horizontal striations across the face are formal elements associated with Songye and related Central African mask traditions. However, the overall surface finish, uniform carving marks, drilled suspension holes, and the applied paper label on the reverse strongly indicate that this example was produced for the decorative or tourist market rather than as a documented ceremonial piece. The wood appears evenly worked with a consistent patina that suggests controlled aging rather than long ritual handling and use.
Authentic early to mid 20th century Songye masks with strong provenance and clear ritual wear can reach several thousand USD at auction, depending on quality and documentation. Decorative export examples from the mid to late 20th century typically sell in the range of $150 to $600 USD depending on size and visual impact. Given the construction details, label style, and overall condition, a realistic current secondary market value would fall between $250 and $450 USD.