This mask was carved in the style of the Kuba people of DRC. The mask has geometric carvings throughout the piece and has two protruding horns on the top. It has a deeply pigmented exterior and a solemn expression. The mask measures 12 inches tall and weighs 3 pounds. There is some cracking, scrapes and scuffs throughout and it appears there is a missing piece in the top – please inspect photos. Stand is not included.
| Type of Object | Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | DR Congo |
| Ethnicity | Kuba |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height | 12" |
| Width | 9” |
| Depth | 10" |
| Weight | 3 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Missing piece from center top, scrapes and scuffs |
Tribe Information
About the Kuba People
“During the 16th century, the Kuba migrated from the north and settled between the Sankuru and Kasai Rivers. Today, they number 250,000 and are subdivided into a number of tribes – the Bushoong, the Ngeende, the Kete, the Lele, the Binji, The Dengese, the Mbuun and the wongo. Each clan pays tribute to the Nyim, the king of the Bushoong ruling clan, but their internal affairs are dealt with autonomously. The Bushoong king and his court lived in a closed palace, known as the Mushenge. The king was responsible for the wealth and fecundity of his people.
Each clan within the Kuba kingdom produced artistic objects with specific characteristics, but there are common stylistic features, including predilection for incised geometric decoration. Cups, zoomorphic divination instruments and boxes were produced throughout the realm.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
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