1955 Photogravure Mask Leopard Tribe Ba-Yaka Aka People Mbenga Africa SCP2

This is an original 1955 black and white photogravure of a mask being surmounted by a leopard, made by the Aka, or Bayaka people, a nomadic Mbenga pygmy tribe who live in central Africa. The wooden piece is painted red, white, and black, and decorated with fibers.

CONDITION

This 56+ year old Item is rated Very Fine ++. Light wrinkling. No natural defects. No surface rub. No tears. No water damage. Please note that there is printing on the reverse.

• Product Type: Original Photogravure; Black / White
• Grade: Very Fine ++
• Dimensions: Approximately 8.75 x 10.25 inches; 22 x 26 cm
• Authentication: Serial-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity w/ Full Provenance
• Protection: Packaged in a custom archival sleeve with an acid-free black board (great for display, gift-giving, and preservation)

Period Paper is pleased to offer a fascinating collection of original photogravures and color prints of the figurative ethnographic or tribal art of West and Central Africa; the islands of Oceania, including Indonesia and the Philippines; and the north-west coast of North America. These artifacts and sculpted objects were created by the indigenous peoples of the so-called "primitive" cultures of these regions. Using a variety of tools and materials such as hatchets, adzes, stone knives, shells, animal teeth or bones, wood, stone, bamboo, etc., these indigenous craftsmen created objects of remarkable artistic design and beauty. Since the majority of the "primitive" cultures in these regions were illiterate, such art forms and sculptures were the only surviving means of depicting chronology, governmental systems, gender representation, ceremonies or rituals, musical instruments, tools, religion, tradition and other historic information regarding the culture of the tribe.

Photography by Spreng, R..

Keywords specific to this image: tribal, African, Africa, mammal, tribal art

SCP2C55