Mask ‘Pumbu’

Pende, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Early 20th century

40cm Tall

Provenance:

A private Connecticut collection

“Pumbu represents a paradox: the imagination of the executioner by Pende who, historically, lived in peaceful and decentralised communities. What would a man look like who agreed to grapple with the ghosts of his victims to the end of his life?”

Strother, Z.S. (2007) Pende: Visions of Africa. 5 Continents Editions