Bena Biombo - R.D. 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