Kumu mask African Art of DR Congo

Mask Kumu / Komo de la R.D. Congo Dimension: 30 x 18 cm Provenance: private collection, P. Vandenbergh, Belgium Dating: 1930-40's Material: Wood. Provided with certificate of provenance written by an independent expert Curved mask with toothed mouth. Eyes in half-moon. Brown patina covered with white and red pigment dot. The use of coloured pigments on masks in the northeastern Congolese east actually corresponds to facial paints that individuals applied to the face. The Kumu or Komo, an ethnic group in the Ituri region, is located in the northwest of the Lega. There are a few commonalities in the style, including the ovoid shape and curved face. Nevertheless, the Kumu have well-marked traits as seen here. The Kumu are one of the largest ethnic groups in this region and includes many smaller subgroups that are not always well identified. Little studied by anthropologists, these masks have not revealed all their secrets. It is known that they were worn during initiation rites. This copy comes from an imported collection of Congolese masks.

Ref. : UXK2JPPE