Lega Passport Mask with Raffia Beard, Based

A pale heart-shaped face, a pale full beard, and a steady gaze.

Lega carvers of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, made this passport mask with a raffia beard in wood in the 20th century. These small masks are associated with the Bwami association, where they often marked rank or served as teaching objects. The surface is a deep reddish-brown with a worn shine. White kaolin fills the brow and eye hollows, and a small projecting nose sits above a narrow mouth. A loose raffia beard falls well below the chin, wispy and pale.

About twelve inches tall. It looks wise, and probably is.