Mask (Mwaash aMbooy)

Artist:Kuba (Bushoong subgroup)

Medium: Rawhide, paint, plant fibers, textile, cowrie shells, glass, wood, monkey pelt, feathers

Geograhical Locations:

• Kasaï Province (former Kasaï-Occidental Province), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dates:late 19th or early 20th century

Dimensions: 22 x 20 x 18 in. (55.9 x 50.8 x 45.7 cm) mount: 23 × 18 × 16 in. (58.4 × 45.7 × 40.6 cm)

Collections:

• Arts of Africa

Exhibitions:

• Sakimatwemtwe: A Century of Reflection on the Arts of Africa
• African Arts—Global Conversations

Accession Number: 22.1582

Image: 22.1582_overall_PS9.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Mask of thin parchment, painted. Elaborately trimmed with shell and hair decoration. Shell eyes. The surface is highly decorative, composed of intricately painted geometric designs and geometrically arranged cowrie shells and beads. One feature, a long strip of beaded decoration extending from the bridge of the nose to the chin is present. Emphasis placed on 2 dimensional surface quality and elaborate polychromy. Condition: Headdress worn and torn.

Brooklyn Museum