Mask

Mask from the Biombo people of the Congo. In sculptural terms, it is characterized by a broad, rounded forehead, small protruding ears adjacent to coffee-bean-shaped eyes, a long triangular nose joining the line of the eyebrows, and a small rectangular mouth. The pattern of black and white triangles on the top, cheeks, and below the mouth is also found on certain Kuba and Pende masks, as well as on Shoowa embroidered raffia textiles. Raffia fibers forming a beard were attached through the holes along the edges of the mask, while additional ritual elements were fastened to the three projections on the top in order to activate it. The work is part of the Bassani Collection (inv. AFR 00066 2513A).

Photo: Paolo Vandrasch, Milano; Giuliano Spagnul, Milano; Vivi Papi, Varese.

Courtesy MUDEC.