Lega Bwami Society Mask, Based

White-faced, calm, and trained to give nothing away.

Lega artists of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, carved this Bwami society mask in wood in the 20th century. Lega masks are commonly associated with the Bwami association and are often held, worn or displayed in rituals of rank and moral teaching. The face is an elongated oval coated in chalky white, with narrow slit eyes, a long nose and a small mouth. Darker, worn wood shows around the rim and brow. It is mounted on a thin rod above a square black base.

About 12 inches tall on its mount. Hang it where it can watch the room, discreetly.