Nagaady-A-Mwaash Mask

20th century

Kuba, African

On View

African: Masquerades, Level 1, North Wing

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About the Artwork

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Provenance

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

The Ngaady-a-Mwash is one of a triad of masks that are danced to symbolize mythical characters and culture heroes important to the origins of Kuba kingship. Ngaady-a-Mwash is the sister and wife of the Kuba's legendary original king. The interplay between masked dancers who portray Ngaady-a-Mwash and two of her mythical suitors teaches the people the balance of power between the king and his subjects. These masks are worn during dances for initiation rites, funeral ceremonies, and royal gatherings.

Title Nagaady-A-Mwaash Mask

Artwork Date 20th century

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. African

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Kuba

Medium Wood, cowry shell, glass beads

Dimensions Overall: 15 × 10 × 10 inches (38.1 × 25.4 × 25.4 cm) Including base: 22 × 10 × 10 inches (55.9 × 25.4 × 25.4 cm)

Classification Sculpture

Department African Art

Credit Founders Society Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Shelden III Fund, funds from the Friends of African Art and the Pierians, Inc.

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 1992.215

Markings

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Provenance

(Tambaran Gallery, New York, New York, USA);
1992-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

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Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Kan, Micheal. African Masterworks In The Detroit Institute of Arts. Washington, 1995, cat. no. 73.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Kuba, African, Nagaady-A-Mwaash Mask, 20th century, wood, cowry shell, glass beads. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Shelden III Fund, funds from the Friends of African Art and the Pierians, Inc., 1992.215.