African Pende Tribe of Congo, mask, wood with scarification and teeth showing, raffia coiffure and woven raffia beard, Maker unrecorded, Est. age ca.1945. Acquired by us in 1990.

Masks carved, adorned and worn by Pende tribe members are some of the most evocative works of all African tribal art.  They appear in ceremonies that accompany agricultural events, initiation rituals marking the passage of boys to men, and the ritual installation of chiefs. In Pende culture, however, chiefs are primarily honorific and social control as provide by families rather than tribal leaders.
19" x 12", face 8" #AGW976