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Mask
pwoom itok
unidentified Congolese
Congolese
----
undated
Face masks with conical eyes, surrounded by a ring of holes which provide for the wearer¹s vision, are called pwoom itok. Worn by dancers at funerals of dignitaries and in puberty rites (Maesen 1967: 36), the masks may represent ³a wise, tired old man whom the other dancers come to consult² (Cornet 1975:84; 1978:204,208). The hairstyle depicted on this mask, shaved to a sharp angle over the temples, is a trait of the Kuba style and appears on the masks, figures and anthropomorphic palm wine cups. -- Professor Christopher Roy, School of Art and Art History, University of Iowa
Southern Savannah Africa Congo (Zaire)
Kuba
Height: 11 3/4 inches Width: 8 inches Depth: 5 1/16 inches
Wood, horn, fiber
The Stanley Collection
University of Iowa. Stanley Museum of Art
X1986_185
7/5/2007
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wood (plant material) horn fiber
183425165
Worn by dancers at funerals of dignitaries
Initiation