Lega Ceramic Passport Mask, Based

A glossy red brown face with a star on the forehead and slit eyes.

This wood and kaolin passport mask is Lega, from Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. The Lega people live in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and their art is closely tied to the Bwami association, which has several levels of initiation. Presenting a narrow oval face with a pale painted brow and nose, thin horizontal eye slits and a small rectangular mouth. A star is incised at the forehead. The surface is lustrous and deep red, with small pegs around the edge. It stands on a black metal mount. It is 3.88 inches wide, 1 deep and 5.88 high.

Calm, composed and starred for good measure.