A tall carved wooden mask with heavy incised linear designs and traditional form and style. This mask was used by the Kifwebe society as part of their ceremonial dances. Striated face masks known as kifwebe probably originated in an area inhabited by both Songye and Luba groups. Among the small Songye chiefdoms along the Lomami River, maskers were emissaries of the ruling elite, who relied on the ideology of witchcraft and sorcery to sustain their rule. These kifwebe members commanded a body of esoteric secret knowledge visually encoded mnemonically in the mask's features. This mask measures 26 x 9 inches. A metal display stand can also be included for an additional $40.00. Provenance: A private New England Collection.

fair, weathered, small areas of loss