Kuyu Kebe-Kebe Puppet, Based

A pale blue face with black eye-patch markings and a hat of tiny drilled holes.

Kuyu artists of the Republic of Congo, Central Africa, carved this kebe-kebe puppet in wood in the 20th century. Kebe-kebe puppets are often associated with ritual performance and are mounted on a stick. This example has a sky-blue face, a bold dark patch across one eye, red lips and a band of blue and white at the neck. The cap on top is cream-colored and pierced with small holes. A slim brownish handle carries the head.

About 14 inches tall. Cheerful, strange and eager to be noticed.