"Lwalwa Mask, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Cubism"
The Lwalwa people of Western Kasai are known and sought after for their incredibly cubist masks. Extreme, minimalist geometric forms and sharp edges come together in a marvelous composition worthy of the great masters of Cubism. The overall shape is said to be a tribute to the hornbill and its large beak. Here is a beautiful example with a black patina. Note the hole under the nose, which allows for the insertion of a knotted cord to hold the mask with the mouth—a unique practice in Africa—and the small topknot. Height 33 cmNote that I have to use powerful lighting to get good definition in the photos; reflections and glare on the images do not exist under normal conditions.
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