African? possibly Congo oval wood mask

Hello again. I found this oval wood mask and have been trying to identify it with limited success. I found slightly similar described as being from the Congo and with the mud like substance applied to it. I don't know if the aging is natural or reproduced, but if reproduced they did a decent job with it. I have always had success here and if it is a low value recent tourist piece it will continue to be a great wall hanger in my home. As always thank you for any coming help and information.

 

it is a low value recent tourist piece.....

just maybe not that recent......

 

I have a vast over-simplification that might help -- b/c I am still trying to wrap my head around the same thing, e.g., why it is so hard to identify tribes and when something might be really valuable -- and so African art collecting is mystifying to me, yet, at the same time, obviously simple: to be collectible 'tribal art' and not 'tourist', and thereby command the attention of dealers and collectors, it has to be ... (here's the over simplification ...) something that the tribal member used as part of their lives.

Short of that, it's garbage (another oversimplification, to make the point). How do you prove a 'tribal' piece? Methods, materials, location, provenance, etc, etc, etc, ... and Africa is a HUGE place. And experts in any of these things are had to come by. And the internet is full of misinfo... and... then there's this, that might sum it up best:

http://nationalmuseum.ghana-net.com/traditional-african-masks.htm

l
so, "good luck widdat" from somebody who sympathizes... I still remember an african art dealer keeping it painfully simple for me: "it's tricky". Little did I know... [and still don't].

 

One reference that I have found helpful to get a feel for different regions is "The Tribal Arts of Africa" by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart. Thames & Hudson, 1998. Looking at catalogs of African art published by museums is also helpful. Catalogs focusing on specific ethnic groups or regions usually have the best information, supported by good provenance and curatorial research. Look at pictures - lots of pictures. And visit museums with good collections. Objects made for use in the original culture are considered most desirable as they are believed to more authentically represent the standards and esthetics of the group. And a collector needs to understand those standards and esthetics to assess whether a particular object is a well executed example - well made and esthetically pleasing.

 

Thank you, and as I suspected. Maybe this is totally wrong but it displays well along with some Aboriginal paintings I have on one wall of my bedroom. Thanks again.

 

I located a copy of the Bacquart book in a community college library in a small town about 30 miles away. I get up there about once a month so I look forward to seeing it. And it turns out there is a very good display of African art and culture at the University of Iowa which is about 50 miles away. africa.uima.uiowa.edu Thank you for your help and suggestions.

 

@Kevolee , which direction do you live from Iowa City? I live about 90 miles from UI, in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.