Bena Biombo - DR Congo

The overall shape of the mask is inspired by the Kuba, and the black-and-white triangular decorations on the forehead and chin are influenced by the Pende of Casai. The bronze-pink colour is unusual.
The black-and-white triangular decorations on the forehead and chin are influenced by the Pende of Casai. The conical eyes, painted in four triangular sections (black, yellow, bronze-pink and white), known as chameleon eyes, may have been influenced by their neighbours, the Kete.
The mouth is small, rectangular and rounded, protruding, with the interior painted white; below the eyes there are eye holes; the headdress consists of a black raffia crown, cut out at the front to reveal the triangular decoration on the forehead, pierced by a protruding wooden cylinder; at the bottom, the mask ends in a long brown raffia necklace.

Provenance: Berthe Hartert-Kibabi Collection
Argiles Collection, Barcelona