Mask, ndeemba

Name: Mask, ndeemba
Brand: Colnaghi
Price: 8000 GBP
Availability: InStock

Year Democratic Republic of the Congo, late 19th–early 20th century

Medium Wood, fiber, pigments

Dimensions h. 53.3 cm 21 in.

£8,000.00

Ships from: New York, United States

Complimentary shipping within United States

Duties and taxes may apply depending on destination and will be confirmed after order review.

Secure transaction

Authenticity guaranteed

Full documentation

14-day returns

Every work we offer online is accompanied by Colnaghi documentation prepared by our specialists.

Shipping costs will be confirmed by our team following order review. All shipments are fully insured.

Returns are considered within 14 days of delivery, subject to inspection. Contact us for any questions.

Shipping & Delivery

This work ships from New York, United States. Complimentary shipping is available within United States. International shipping costs are calculated after order review based on destination, packaging requirements, and courier selection.

Shipping details and costs will be confirmed by our team within 3 working days of placing your order. All shipments are fully insured.

Returns Policy

You have the right to request a return within 14 days of receiving the artwork. Returned works must be received in their original condition and packaging and are subject to inspection prior to any refund being issued.

To initiate a return, please contact our team.

Payment Methods

We accept the following payment methods:

Credit / Debit card (Visa, Mastercard)
Bank transfer (GBP, EUR, USD)

American Express is not accepted. No payment is taken at checkout — your card details are securely registered for verification purposes only. Payment is confirmed after order review.

Authenticity & Documentation

Every work sold through Colnaghi comes with full documentation including a certificate of authenticity and provenance where available. Our specialists ensure that each work meets the highest standards of quality and attribution.

For full purchase terms, please see our Buy Now Terms & Conditions.

Yaka circumcision masks from the southwest Democratic Republic of the Congo are humorous and symbolic masks used during male initiation rituals signaling the transition between childhood to manhood. Known as ndeemba, these masks are used to symbolize rebirth and celebrate the entry in the society of adult men. They are carved with a distinctive upturned nose, massive raffia collar and topped by colorful hats or superstructures.These masks appear in groups, often danced to mark the end of the initiatory camp and the return to the village. These masks are held by a handle under the chin in front of the face with the raffia covering the dancers neck. They are often used only once after which they are discarded.