Phumbu Mask, Pende People, D.r.c

Mbuya initiation mask representing a human face. The face is crossed by a broken line symbolizing the eyebrows and overhanging a nose with a well-defined nasal bridge. The eyelids are wide and lowered. The lips are curled, the mouth is half-open and reveals sharply cut teeth. The forehead is domed and decorated with a chevron-shaped scarification. The face is topped with a headdress displaying three movable horns made of braided raffia.
The attributes of this mask relate to the representation of the fierce traditional chief Pumbu (Phumbu): the executioner or executioner.
Wood, pigments, raffia
Height: 45 cm
Western Pende people, DRC
Mid-20th century
Provenance: -Ex German collection,                            
                             -Ex Peter H. Loebarth (1941-2015)