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Exceptional African DRC Tetela Mask

 

Measurement:       Height: 19.00 Inches
Measurement:       Height: 48.00 Centimeters
                                Measurement Mask Only Not Including Raffia Costume
Material:                Wood, Pigment, Raffia, Rope, Feathers
Estimated Age:      Early 20th Century
Condition:              Good
Remarks:               Stylized mask zoomorphic form exaggerated features distinctive triple crest dark patina

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CONDITION
Wood deterioration, chips and scrapes, worn areas, age cracks, lost of pigment, overall condition good. Thank you and please view my other items.

BACKGROUND
The Batetela / Tetela live in the region between Lusambo and the Upper Congo River, in the provinces of Sankuruand Maniema.  They live by fishing and farming, raising cassava, banana and kola nuts. They are related to the Kusu people, only separating from them in the late 1800s after the arrival of Arabs and Belgians in the region.   Both the Batetela and the Kusu are subgroups of the larger Mongo group.  The name Motetela comes from a god named Motetela, meaning either "he who laughs not" or "he at whom one may not laugh."[

Painter Fred Uhlman words - Most of the artists I admired, Picasso, Modigliani, Deraini, to mention only a few, had collected African art and had been profoundly influenced by it. Shortly afterwards I bought the Baule Fetish and the Baule bobbin which are still two of the finest pieces in my collection. It is easy to see why I bought them and why from that moment I have never stopped collecting. The head of the bobbin or heddle - pulley which is after all only a functional object for the purpose of weaving seemed to me then and today as beautiful as a Greek goddess. The fetish moved me as deeply as the bobbin by its silent tragic dignity and its air of profound meditation.


GUARANTEE
AUTHENTICITY AND CONDITION OF ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO THEIR DESCRIPTION AND PICTURES.

QUESTIONS 
PLEASE EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR MORE DETAIL PICTURES. 

SHIPPING
SHIPPING VIA USPS PARCEL POST OR FEDEX GROUND UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.  OTHER SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. INTERNATIONAL VIA USPS PRIORITY MAIL -SHIPPING COST PLEASE INQUIRE. 

COMBINED SHIPPING: SHIPPING IS ALWAYS COMBINED WHEN POSSIBLE, UNLESS THE PIECE IS TOO LARGE OR DELICATE.
SHIPPING TIME: ITEM(S) ARE CAREFULLY PACKAGED AND SHIPPED OUT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF PAYMENT.  PACKING FRAGILE ART ITEM NEEDS CAREFUL ATTENTION AND WILL NEVER BE FAST, BUT WE DO OUT BEST TO MAKE SURE IT WILL ARRIVE FOR YOU SAFELY. IF YOU NEED THE ITEM QUICKLY PLEASE EMAIL FIRST FOR ARRANGEMENT.
PAYMENT
PAYMENT ACCEPTED - PAYPAL.