Two Lega Lukwakongo Masks

Democratic Republic of the Congo, mid- 20th century, both carved wood masks with heart shaped faces, the first with applied kaolin to face and holes wrapping lower edge (8 x 4 x 2 1/4 in.), the second with holes wrapping head (6 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 2 in.).

From the Collection of the late Robert and Judith Weston, Detroit, Michigan

Miniature wooden masks constitute some of the most important insignia of the second-highest grade of Bwami doctrine. Generally these miniature masks, known as lukwakongo, or passport masks, have a heart-shaped face framed by a line formed by the nose, the eyebrows, and the planes of the cheeks. Rather than being worn on the face, these masks are worn on the arm, held, affixed to a hat, or displayed on a fence during Bwami meetings; for, their primary role was to symbolize or represent the continuity of a lineage of initiated men. The holes running around the lower edge of these masks would originally have held a beard made of liana fibers.

Small areas of cracking to kaolin on larger mask; the smaller with nick to posterior base.