Deformity Mask (Mbangu)

Pende people, Democratic Republic of the Congo, African

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Paste resist dye
One of four staffs used to deliniate an area around a royal when he appears in public. Decorated with kneeling female figures with hands on breasts, alternated with knelling male drummers, at top birds and a python, below figures are quadrupeds, possibly goats, symbols of wealth.
Ovoid, figurative vessel has round bottom, neck, and abstract head with wide mouth and bumps on back of head. Body has single, short arm and raised bumps, possibly genitals.
Staff surmounted by the double axe motif, stylized reference to the thunderbolt believed to be hurled from the skies by Shango, with kneeling female figure.