Africa, lower Kasai region of central Zaire, Kuba culture, ca. mid-20th century CE. An impressive Mukenga/Mukyeem mask - a full head mask with a raffia collar, sewn with colored beads, cowrie shells, spotted fur, carved wooden ears, nose and mouth, a padded cloth ground, and the characteristic superstructure in the shape of an elephant's trunk elaborately covered with cowrie shells as well as panels and bands of colorful red, yellow, blue, orange, white, and black beads arranged in textile-inspired geometric patterns, with two small "tusks" also adorned with colorful beads protruding from the base of the trunk, and a tuft of raffia adorning its tip. In addition to this magnificent trunk, the visage is finely delineated with cowrie shell eyes frames with red and blue beads in a hemispherical arrangement, a carved wooden nose (highlighted with blue and white beads) and mouth, and a beaded headband presenting a round centerpiece comprised of blue and white beads and a band of cowrie shells framed with colorful beads - all upon a magnificent spotted fur face. While most Kuba art and material culture centers upon the royal court, this mask is technically a non-royal variant of the Mwaash aMbooy type mask. This said, as in other African kingdoms including the Asante and those of the Cameroon grassfields, elephants are associated with royal might and power, and this traditional Kuba proverb eloquently captures this connection, "an animal, even if it is large, does not surpass the elephant. A man, even if he has authority, does not surpass the king." (Binkley 1992: 277) Masks like this example are worn by performers at funeral ceremonies of elite Kuba leaders. A fine example comparable to those featured in respected museum collections and exceptional auctions. For example, a similar mask sold at Sotheby's New York for $10,755 USD - Session 1 November 2, 2015. Custom, museum-quality stand. Size: mask itself measures 21.5" H (54.6 cm); 27.5" H (69.8 cm) on stand

Provenance: Ex-NYC collection, Ex Josephine and Walter Buhl Ford II collection

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