Mask

66-19-3

From: Republic of the Congo

Curatorial Section: African

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Object Number 66-19-3
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Rega | Lega
Provenience Republic of the Congo
Section African
Materials Fiber | Wood | Grass
Description

Mask used by second highest rank of Bwami secret society, which is important for social control, etc (highest rank has ivory masks); mask held in hand by vertical handle, carved from same piece of wood, is carved of a (special) light wood and is partly covered with white pigment; inverted ovaloid shape, concave back; eyes with slit pupils in champ-leve in deep depressions on either side of long flat nose; mouth upturned crescent; around lower half holes perforated by burning for attachment of plaited raphia "beard".

Height 19.7 cm
Width 12.8 cm
Credit Line Gift of Ernst Anspach, 1966

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