This is a female type of mask from the Songe tribe a Bantu ethnic group from the central Democratic Republic of Congo. It has a dynamic jutting mouth with a cross engrave, huge concave-shaped merely open eyes. The eyes, mouth, nose are blackened with a paint-like substance. It has thin, deeply curved incised lines across the face of the mask, white kaolin though worn out still remains on the surface of the mask especially in the deep recesses of the incised patterned surface. Horizontal black lines extend from the corner of the eyes to the back edge of the mask.
The inside of the mask has traces of dark coloration due to repeated ritual usage, a deep recess was carved out in the back to accommodate the dancer’s facial features. Female songye masks represent the spirit of an ideal gentle, fertile woman. This mask shows signs of wear, especially around the nose, mouth, and eyes.
- Material: Wood, Paint, Kaolin
- Age:approx 50-75yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic Of Congo
- Condition: Good
- SKU: CMSK-067
- Weight: 0.8 kg
- Dimensions: 18 x 33.8 x 23 cm