Songye - DR Congo

On this mask, the nose extends to the end of the forehead, not so much as a crest but rather as a low-relief moulding; it could be a male mask. The nose is schematic, rectangular and rounded; the eye sockets, circular sectors, contain almond-shaped, open eyes; the mouth is a slightly protruding rectangle containing two circular holes; the nose, frontal moulding, eye sockets and mouth are painted black; the rest of the mask, with broad curved striations, alternates between red and white. The mask must have been surrounded by a fabric neck cover, of which some remains are still visible.

Provenance: Padres Blancos missionaries
Argiles Collection, Barcelona