A large helmet or pull-on mask of the Suku, from the southwest of the Congo. With heavily accentuated cheeks, a typical style characteristic of the Suku. The present mask is carved from lightweight, light-coloured wood and is open at the top. There, it is covered with a piece of leather, which bears traces of an earlier black and blue painting. On the edge above runs an all-round, plaited band out of plant fibres. The wooden part of the mask shows accentuated large, round eyes. The masked dancer looked out through narrow slits at the lower edge of the eyes. Below the eyes are the large, projecting cheeks that are typical of Suku masks. Between the eyes and the cheeks runs a long, triangular nose above a small, square mouth and above a protruding chin. On both temples are knob-like scarification marks. The entire wooden part of the mask is coloured red on the outside (with powdered redwood), accentuated blue on the upper rims of the eyes, and white in the ears. On the chubby cheeks, one can recognise remains of painted blue rings. The inside of the mask was originally coloured black-brown. The rare, old piece shows good, shiny patina as a result of protracted use. Only minimum, non-disturbing age-related damage. The upper cover of leather is torn on the left side of the mask, a small break at the right at the back, and in parts colour scuffed. H: 30 cm; W: 24 cm; DM: 24 cm x 26 cm (leather cover above). First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Belgian Private Collection.

Lit.: 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bascquart, p. 185, ill. 9; 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 564.