African Pumbu Half Cylindrical Mask, Congo, 20th Century

Item Details

Eastern Pende, Africa, Congo Region
Face Mask, 20th Century
Wood, Pigment
Unsigned

An African Pumbu face mask by the Eastern Pende people of the Congo region, 20th century. The imposing half cylindrical mask displays attached raffia, protruding tubular eyes, a straight elongated nose and carved geometrical detailing with red and white pigment. The mask would have been worn during ceremonies on rare and terrible occasions signaling war, epidemics or famine as determined by divination.

Condition

- all present conditions are consistent and typical for African art and antiquities.
(some abrasions, cracks and accretions throughout).

Dimensions

- measurements exclude the raffia

Item #

ITMG269986