Hand-carved wooden mask from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, adorned with natural fiber braids and traditional facial scarification motifs.
Dimensions
Height: 34 cm (13.4 in)
Width: 20 cm (7.9 in)
Depth: 12 cm (4.7 in) including raffia hair
Longer description
This striking mask originates from the Pende people of Central Africa, specifically the Kwilu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pende masks are traditionally used in ceremonies related to initiation, healing, or ancestral worship. The stylized facial features — elongated nose, closed almond-shaped eyes, and prominent lips — are deeply carved into the dark wood and highlighted with white kaolin pigment, symbolic of spiritual power and the ancestral realm.
The braided raffia “hair” framing the face enhances the mask’s ritual function, imitating ceremonial wigs worn during dances. The mask’s symmetrical linear motifs and diamond patterns are emblematic of scarification practices that indicate lineage, rank, or tribal identity. The back of the mask shows wear consistent with age and use, with visible hand-tool marks and patina, suggesting it may have been used in performance rather than created solely for the art market.
This piece combines both aesthetic value and ethnographic significance, making it an excellent addition to any collection of African tribal art.