Pende, (Bapende), Congo. Wood. Pigments. Height: 20"

This appears to be quite an interesting and rare cephalomorphic mask of double-headed ancestors. Either of these ancestors could be the main deity - the ancestor at the bottom or that atop! The use of pigments for detailing seems also masterful.

It displays the heavy features of some of the masks of the Muserongo (Solongo), and there may be an influence.

Used for ancestral rituals.