Helmet mask "hemba" ·  D. R. Congo, Suku · ID: 3034870

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, small remains of indigo blue and white pigment, crowned by a separate carved bird sculpture attached by cord, the smoothened facial plane heart-shaped deepened, abundant grass fibre cuff at the lower rim, the chin plug inscribed at the bottom: “FC4316”, dam., minor missing parts (birds beak), paint rubbed off, missing part through insect caused damage on the left side of the head;
mask type known as “hemba”, which is spread all over the Suku area and which was used at initiation rites for young boys.

Comparing literature

Bourgeois, Arthur P., Art of the Yaka and Suku, Paris 1984, p. 155, ill. 145