MSSU African Art Exibit : The MSSU African Art collection features a variety of authentic works of art from various tribes located throughout Central Africa. The objects in the collection range from mundane day to day grooming tools to ritualistic masks and statues.
Title:
Kuba Dance or Funerary Mask
Object Name:
Mask, Ritual, Kuba
Other Name:
Mask, Dance
Place of Origin:
Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.

The extensive use of red paint and patterns on the cheeks indicates that this is a funerary mask. The Kuba peoples preceived red and orange as strong colors and associated them with the power of death, the great disrupter of life. This type of mask would be worn in dances at funerals of senior titleholders.
Description:
Carved wooden elongated dance or funerary mask with, orange, white and dark brown striped vertical designs on each upper cheek. Large protruding forehead with circular design in center and four strings of beads and a cowrie shell hanging down. Slit eyes outlined in white paint in black orbits, long large wedge—shaped nose, covered in a strip of silver colored metal. Circular mouth with circuler metal object nailed to center. Crescent—shaped ears. Lower portion of mask covered in triangular geometric design. Entire outer ring of mask encircled by beads, cowrie shells, raffia and woven grass or cloth. Woven grass, beads and shells in back of mask, forming a closed head strap. Dark brown patina covering all unpainted wooden surfaces.
Collection:
Guy Mace Collection, (Turblex Company)
Material:
Wood W/Paint, Metal, Beads, Shells, Cloth and Raffia
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Carving / Painting
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2015.2.53
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Front ViewFront View
Front View - 2Front View - 2
Right Side ViewRight Side View
Left Side ViewLeft Side View
Rear ViewRear View