Unique Old KUBA (?) helmet/face MASK Ivory Coast West AFRICA [Boston Primitive]

Description: I acquired this mask many years ago, field collected by "Africa Direct". It does have Kuba attributes but Oh So Much More! It is worn atop the head, held in place by a domed woven fiber cap using short lengths of straw to simulate hair. It is a wild Afro and very unusual. The forehead and crown have three rows of detailed carving: the top has triangular points and the two bottom have rows of what look like violin scrolls. An impossibly wide grinning mouth displays dozens of sharp teeth. Inside socket surrounds are chameleon eyes with drilled sight holes around a conical center shape. The nose is a truncated pentagon. It is an extraordinary artifact! The big notch in its chin/beard flange is not a split but, by the way it is finished, either a repaired slip by the carver or a split preventative, a not uncommon woodworking technique. A couple of the many attachment holes are torn out, indicating repeated lacings. This mask is about 16" long and 13" tall. I do not sell or ship internationally. [Boston Primitive]

Price: 600 USD

Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts

End Time: 2025-01-21T21:19:06.000Z

Shipping Cost: 400 USD