Monkey Mask – Wood – Hemba – DR Congo

Hemba monkey / bird mask from DR Congo in a rustic style. Soko-Mutu combining animal (chimpanzee) and human facial traits. The Luba name is : Mwisu gwa So’o, in Kishwahili : Soko Mutu or Monkey face Such masks were used as facemasks with a monkey skin cover and were also used in dances attached to the performer's belt. Such masks were mainly kept in the house for protection much like a charm or Amulet. The pear-shaped head has small slit eyes, a huge nose with large, open nostrils and a broad, grinning tooth less mouth with thick lips. This fine example bears the signs of long and extensive use. Provenance: former private Italian collection.

Object:	Monkey mask
Ethnic group:	Hemba
Country:	DR Congo
Material:	Wood
Period:	Mid 20th century
Sold with stand:	No
Dimensions:	17x14x9 cm
Weight:	350 gram
Condition:	Good condition, used with some signs of wear