Large and highly elaborate wearable African mask, decorated with extensive multicoloured glass beadwork, cowrie shells and natural plant fibres/raffia. The mask is constructed as a three-dimensional head covering and has an interior opening large enough to accommodate an adult male head, indicating that it was made as a wearable mask rather than solely as a decorative wall object. The face is covered with natural fibre/hair-like material and features prominent cowrie-shell eyes, while the forehead, nose, mouth, ears and headdress are extensively decorated with geometric patterns of coloured glass beads. The substantial raffia/fibre ruff surrounds the lower part of the mask. The combination of cowrie shells, imported glass beads, raffia and elaborate headgear is strongly characteristic of Central African artistic traditions. In particular, Kuba masks and headgear from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The present mask is offered as a Kuba-style / possibly Kuba Central African mask. A precise tribal attribution, date and ceremonial function cannot be confirmed without provenance. Materials: glass beads, cowrie shells, natural fibre/raffia, textile/fibre elements Origin: Central Africa, possibly Democratic Republic of the Congo Cultural attribution: Kuba style, attribution not confirmed Period: 20th century or later, exact date unknown Type: wearable helmet/cap mask Condition: good overall condition for a handmade fibre object, with natural wear and some loose/bent fibres; please see photographs.