African Art at the
Ralph Proctor Gallery"Classical African Images"
Royal Ceremonial Mask
- country: Zaire
- people: Kuba
- medium: Wood, copper, beads, monkey fur, cowrie shells
- size: 24x8x12 inches
- price: $3,000.
- inventory #: rpg0271
This mask is called Mboom. It represents the son of the Great God Woot. According to Kuba legend, God sent Mboom along with his sister/wife, Ngaady A Mwaash, and his brother, Mwaash Shambouy, to establish the Kuba kingdom. This is an old, used, museum-quality mask that was danced at ceremonies that celebrated the Kuba royal family's decent from Woot. When any of the three masks are created, the carver must search the entire kingdom in order to secure the oldest beads and cowrie shells for inclusion on the mask. While there are many new copies being made for the tourist trade, close examination shows the exceptional quality of this old piece.