Masks (1) - Iron, Wood - rare helmet mask - yakaCONGO - Congo

Real a fabulous YAKA mask from CONGO buy in a famous South African ex collection Damien S. This Yaka initiation mask is called Kholukaen vernacular. He appears at the end of Mukanda's initiation rite. It is the most important mask of initiation and appears alone to mark the end of the period when adolescent boys are separated from the village. The lower part of the mask consists of a wooden face. The almond-shaped eyes are slightly open and are surrounded by marked eyelids, framing the triangular nose. The half-open prognathic mouth reveals the teeth. The long handle under the chin allowed the dancer to wear the mask. The upper part is made of a wooden cap or seed coat with hair residue sign of real use during rites. The entire mask has a vivid polychromy. The face is completely covered with ocher while traces of blue, kaolin and black pigments appear around the eyes and on the hairstyle. This mask is one of the rare Yaka masks of this type and its patina testifies to its ritual use. As you can see all part are real quality as you can see it is a real etynological mask to work in ceremonies no combine shipping as you imagine because of the seize