Ba'Teke T'saye Polychrome Face Mask-AFRICA
A Ba'Teke (or Tsaye - "Ba" meaning people of) polychrome face mask of the Kidumu society.Teke masks of this type were worn by members of the Kidumu society during funerals of chiefs, weddings, or other important ceremonies.
This particular mask is an excellent replica from the 1980s and is no longer being made.
Stylistically very abstract in form, Kidumu society masks possess a characteristically flat surface, subsequently divided horizontally into two spatial areas decorated with symbols. The two semicircular areas have clearly defined eyes, nose and mouth.
A chromatic palette derived from natural pigments highlights the surface decorated by geometric forms carved in low relief.
The rear of the mask is fitted with an inverted "U" shaped section which fits the dancer's face and onto which is attached a twisted fiber which he holds tightly with his teeth while dancing, while making repeated rotating head movements, just like a wheel. The costume is complete with raphia fibers and plumage from wild birds.
The very complex symbolism is extremely rich and varied; it had been explained to me that the ground of the mask represents the lake, source of water and life, the horizontal linear division represents the mouth harp, the semi-circles around the perimeter of the mask represent the trees around the lake, the semi-circles highlighting the eyes represent a woman's breasts, the small squares symbolize the male, etc...
There exists no written documentation as to the exact significance of these intricate symbols.
Collected in Gabon in the early 1990s in the Ba'Teke Plains.
Origin: Ba'Teke ethnic group - GABON
Age: Mid to late 20th century
Materials: Wood and polychrome
Condition details: Good
Dimensions/Weight: 36 cm(14 1/4")wide-43 cm(17")long-9 cm (3 1/2")deep-830 grams (1.8 lbs)
Inner Diam/Ring Size: N/A
This particular mask is an excellent replica from the 1980s and is no longer being made.
Stylistically very abstract in form, Kidumu society masks possess a characteristically flat surface, subsequently divided horizontally into two spatial areas decorated with symbols. The two semicircular areas have clearly defined eyes, nose and mouth.
A chromatic palette derived from natural pigments highlights the surface decorated by geometric forms carved in low relief.
The rear of the mask is fitted with an inverted "U" shaped section which fits the dancer's face and onto which is attached a twisted fiber which he holds tightly with his teeth while dancing, while making repeated rotating head movements, just like a wheel. The costume is complete with raphia fibers and plumage from wild birds.
The very complex symbolism is extremely rich and varied; it had been explained to me that the ground of the mask represents the lake, source of water and life, the horizontal linear division represents the mouth harp, the semi-circles around the perimeter of the mask represent the trees around the lake, the semi-circles highlighting the eyes represent a woman's breasts, the small squares symbolize the male, etc...
There exists no written documentation as to the exact significance of these intricate symbols.
Collected in Gabon in the early 1990s in the Ba'Teke Plains.
Origin: Ba'Teke ethnic group - GABON
Age: Mid to late 20th century
Materials: Wood and polychrome
Condition details: Good
Dimensions/Weight: 36 cm(14 1/4")wide-43 cm(17")long-9 cm (3 1/2")deep-830 grams (1.8 lbs)
Inner Diam/Ring Size: N/A
