Lega Passport Mask with Raffia Beard, Based

The face is calm, and the beard is not.

Lega artists of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, made this passport mask with a raffia beard in wood and raffia in the 20th century. Small masks like this are associated with the Lega Bwami association and were commonly kept, handed on or worn by members. The face is a smooth oval, painted with a white heart-shaped area around narrow eyes and a small mouth. The reddish-brown wood is glossy. A thick mop of golden raffia hangs below.

About twelve inches tall on a slim mount. Dignified, with excellent hair.