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Large African Head Sculpture of Mask w/Fur Shells Beads

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:900.00 - 1,380.00 USD
Large African Head Sculpture of Mask w/Fur Shells Beads
This African sculptural piece is a full-size representation of a ceremonial mask. Its design has a distinctive curving point at the top. The face is composed of real fur, shells, and carved wooden portion for the nose and mouth. The beard is grass and the hair is straw. There is decorative bead work in black, white, blue, red, and green, in crossed patterns. The base of the sculpture is a natural woven material. The dimensions are 19 x 19 x 28 inches. It is in very good condition. This mask is from an African people known as the Kuba. In the 16th century they migrated from the North Africa and settled in the modern day Republic of Congo. Today the Kuba people number 250,000, and are divided into a number of tribes. The tribe that created this piece was the Ngeende tribe, from the eastern part of the Kuba kingdom. Their ceremonies incorporated these masks.