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:
Passport Mask
Object Name:
Mask, Ritual
Other Name:
Mask, Ritual, Passport
Place of Origin:
Lega, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 5—1/2"
W = 3"
D = 1—1/2"
Description:
Passport mask with heart—shaped face, pointed chin, white kaolin face, thin wedge—shaped nose and slit eyes. Brown to black edge.

Small Lega masks are called Lukwakongo and were worn on the arm, carried in the hand, attached to a hat or grouped with similar masks. Used to say which tribe and part of the country the person was from while they were traveling. Their form is marked by a heart—shaped, concave face with a delicate mouth, pointed chin and eyes shaped like Cowrie shells.
Collection:
Finley Collection
Material:
Wood W/Paint
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Carving / Painting
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2014.1.53
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Front ViewFront View
Right Side ViewRight Side View
Left Side ViewLeft Side View
Rear ViewRear View