Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A delightful mask of an elegant human face. Narrow, small eyes and mouth surround a long, thin nose. The face is inset into the wood, leaving the nose to project below a heavy brow, in the classic heart-shaped form associated with many masks from this culture. A white kaolin pigment has been applied uniformly across the exposed front side of the face, while a thick, sap-like black color is on the back rim of the mask. In Lega tradition, masks are a symbol of their owner's rank within the Bwami society, which is an initiative society whose membership is open to Lega men and women who undergo a system of instruction, payment, and initiation. Each time a mask like this one was used, it was rubbed again with white clay. Size: 4.2" W x 9" H (10.7 cm x 22.9 cm)

Provenance: private Eason Eige collection, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

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#131210

Light surface wear commensurate with age. Small chip from side of nose. Modern string through back.