© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University

ClassificationsAfrican Art

Face Mask, Muyombo

Place CreatedDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

CulturePende

Date20th Century

MediumWood, straw, basketry, pigment

Credit LineEx coll. William S. Arnett

Dimensions15 1/8 x 7 11/16 x 5 in. (38.4 x 19.5 x 12.7 cm)

Object number1994.004.254

Label TextThe lidded eyes slanting downward at the outer corners, a single continuous eyebrow ridge, and a small upturned nose are easily identifiable stylistic conventions found in many Pende face masks in Western collections. Although the best-known of Pende mask styles, it is only one of several, and is found primarily in the Katundu chiefdom in the central Pende region, though Katundu carvers have moved into other regions and brought this style with them. Our example is known as muyombo, a masquerade whose dance is said to personify arrogance or vanity. Its distinctive feature is a beardlike projection from the chin, with a geometric pattern painted in red, black, and white pigment.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Installation, Rotation 2, February 1997 - July 1998

ProvenanceEx coll. William Arnett (1939-2020), Atlanta, Georgia.

Status

Not on view

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