Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Teke-Tsaayi, ca. mid 20th century CE. A masked headpiece and attached costume, of the type that appeared in masquerades associated with a nature spirit known as Nkita. In these masquerades, youthful male members of an association would dramatically enter the village from the wilderness and perform energetic, cartwheel dances. The mask itself is intricately carved from a large roundel of wood, bifurcated at the browline, with slitted eyes emphasized with incised and painted concentric circles, a protruding straight nose, a suggested mouth surrounded by stylized linear and geometric motifs, all in red, black, and white hues. The visage is further adorned with a raffia beard, and a feathered headdress comprised of blue, white, brown, and beige plumes. A hand-stitched burlap bodice is attached with long, stuffed arms intentionally frayed at the termini. Custom stand. Size: 15" in diameter (mask) x 50.375" H (entire piece) (38.1 cm x 128 cm); 60.375" H (153.4 cm) on stand

Masquerades associated with Nkita came to an end when the Teke converted to Christianity; however, in the 1960s skilled artisans began creating the masks once again for cultural events and export. This mask most likely belongs to that period of revival. A fabulous example, particularly since it includes both the mask and attached costume, the face of that characteristically perfectly round moon shape, magnificently decorated with abstract geometric, linear, and curvilinear motifs. Note that a very similar mask, without the attached costume, is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston collection (accession number 2009.2697).

Note: This piece is quite large in scale. Please inquire about shipping charges.

Provenance: ex-Allen Davis collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#125845

Small areas of discoloration and separation of fibers of the textile costume. Minor pigment fading. Very minor losses to feathers.