Luba-kanyok Protective Mask, Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Rare protective mask that was worn on the belt or on the arm. The face is rectangular, the forehead and nose are prominent, and the sunken gaze is hard. The mouth is open and reveals two fine rows of teeth. It is surmounted by an elongated and striated headdress. It was completely covered with white pigment of which there are still many traces. This kind of protective mask was reserved for notables.
Very nice presence for this rare object.
Wood with patina of use, pigment. Slight slits.
H: 23.5 cm
Luba-Kanyok people, Democratic Republic of Congo
First half of the 20th century
Provenance: - Ex Belgian collection.
                     - Collected in-situ by a former settler, Mr. Van Kerckhoven who would have brought it back in 1952. He would have obtained it from the chiefdom of Mulundu. This mask was used as protection by a group leader from the Mukundu chiefdom near Mwene-Ditu.