Bwami mask

Sculpture

DePaul Art Museum

Name/Title

Bwami mask

Entry/Object ID

2001.105

Artwork Details

Medium

Wood, pigment, vegetable fiber

Context

The Bwami society is a society that helps guide moral development of the individual and the governing relations of their people. The mask is worn during the initiation ceremonies of the Bwami society members. The art of the mask in the Bwami society is taught to those to learn skills of wisdom and initiate it through art. The Bwami mask is known to have animal hair attached and has a heart-shaped concave face.

Acquisition

Notes

Collection of DePaul Art Museum, gift of the May Weber Foundation

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown artist

Notes

Creation Date: 20th century

Ethnography

Notes

Lega Republic of Congo, Africa Africa Republic of Congo

Lexicon

Getty AAT

Concept

Yoruba (culture or style), Southern Nigerian styles, West African (general), African (general, continental cultures), Lega, Maniema (culture or style), Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo styles, Central African (cultural or regional style), initiations, rites of passage, cultural ceremonies, ceremonies, cultural events, events (activities), ceremonial masks, masks (costume), costume (mode of fashion)

Hierarchy Name

Styles and Periods (hierarchy name), Events (hierarchy name), Costume (hierarchy name), Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name)

Facet

Styles and Periods Facet, Activities Facet, Objects Facet

Dimensions

Width

11.43 cm

Depth

10.16 cm

Length

22.225 cm

Exhibitions

Human Bodies in the Spirit World: African Sculpture from the Weber Collection

The Body and Art: African Sculpture from the Permanent Collection

Interpretative Labels

Label

Untitled Unknown

Label

Bwami mask Unknown 20th century