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Painted face mask with cloth hood
Object Number 17-41-50/B1908
Display Title Painted face mask with cloth hood
Descriptions
Object Description Face mask made of carved wood and cloth, decorated with glass beads, shells and paint. The front of the mask is a carved face decoratively painted in brown, white, red ochre and yellow ochre. Isolated areas are decorated with strands of glass beads: eyebrows, nose, mouth. The beads are strung together and tied onto the mask with plant fiber (raffia) strips and twine. A head piece is sewn onto the top edge of the mask, through pre-drilled holes, meant to fit over the head of the wearer. It is comprised of several sections and various materials. The exterior is covered with various cotton trade cloths. The main head covering is an indigo dyed plain-weave cloth, covered with a decorative pattern of cowrie shells and bordered with strands of glass beads. The ears ar[see Object Description text entry for extended description]
Inventory Description Mask, wood and cloth, with bead, cowrie shells, and painted designs
Classification
  • Mask
Department Ethnographic
Date 1880-1899 or earlier
Culture
  • Bushoong
  • Kuba
  • Kuba
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Africa / Congo
Materials Wood, Glass, Cowrie, Pigment, Cotton fabric, Raffia
Dimensions Overall: 32 x 20 x 23 cm (12 5/8 x 7 7/8 x 9 1/16 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object B-1908
Credit Line Gift of Mrs. George Howe, A. C. Coolidge, and Oric Bates, 1917
Provenance
Collector Lt. G. Mackenzie (1880's-1890's)
Dealer William O. Oldman (1917)
Donor Mr. Oric Bates
Donor Donated by Mrs. George P. Howe
Donor Donated by Prof. A. C. Coolidge

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