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The Kuba Kingdom was founded in the 16th century. Geometric design, cowrie shells, and vegetable fiber are characteristics of this example of a mask worn by the men of royal descent for coronation rituals or during a chief's installation. There is…

Luba figures tend to have a polished surface with a deep patina. Sculptors attach considerable significance to detail creating naturalistic proportions along with intricate hair patterns.

This unusual mask of a man’s face is made of carved wood with dark brown vegetable pigment and white koalin. His hair is done as a three-part coiffure. The mask is worn by a person acting as the tribe’s police or to frighten an enemy.