The front decorated with abstract incised motifs; brown surface decorated with white and red pigments and kaolin.PROVENANCEPrivate Collection, Washington, DC, acquired in the 1960s.According to Cornet (1978: p. 96), "Flat masks are for the most part strictly confined to the Tsai group of the Teke tribe and portray an abstractly interpreted human face. They are used by the members of the Kidumu society. The facial features, eyes, nose, and mouth, are only minor elements in a decorative whole accentuated by polychrome. At the same time, the design is a composition of symbols. The headdress ranges from simple to elaborate costumes of woven fiber and cloth, trimmed with feathers and fringes of raffia.

Wonderful patina with wood loss to the left and right of nose; missing raffia, feather trim.

22.25 x 13.75 x 2 in