Lega Ceramic Passport Mask

Small, wide-eyed and scarred with an X on the brow.

Lega artists of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, made this passport mask in wood in the 20th century. Small Lega masks are associated with the Bwami association, and are often used to display rank and teach moral lessons. This one is a short oval with large round eyes ringed in white kaolin, a thin mouth and a pierced X above the nose. Small holes line the outer rim, perhaps for attachments. The wood is a rich orange-brown with age.

About six inches tall. Small, direct and difficult to ignore.