Kuba Lele mask

Distinct among Kuba masks, this one stands out for its exclusive decoration on the cover rather than on the face. The 20,000 Lele, located in the western region of the Kuba Kingdom, celebrate annually with almost flat masks with split eyes surrounded by lines. This rare copy by Lele sculptors is beautifully decorated with cowries and pearls, signs of wealth and status. Measuring 3x16x45 cm, this piece of wood, fabric, beads and cowries, dating from the 20th century, comes from the Kuba Lélé tribe in DRC.