NOT A TOURIST PIECE Authentic LUBA KIFWEBE African MASK Zaire [Boston Primitive]

Description

Certainly not a tourist item meant to fit in a suitcase destined to decorate someone's wall. This is genuine and comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in west Africa.  Songye tribe's close neighbor the Luba likely produced this small but powerful dance mask. It has the typical Kifwebe striations that surround the eyes and follow the face's contours and the usual open mouth that seems to be emitting a "hooting" call. Unusual in this example is the mane of feathers, now tattered and remnant, secured by twine to holes around its perimeter. Where the bottom holes have broken out leaving the mane there dangling I have attached it with an inconspicuous thread. This break in the mask's rim is barely visible from the front but is sizeable. It and an old painted collection number can be seen in photos of the back. Excluding the variable feather dimensions, this mask is only 8 1/4" x 7" x 2 1/2". This would be a good addition to any serious collection.
Packed very carefully to preserve the fragile mane and mailed USPS Priority with insurance by [Boston Primitive]. U.S. bidders please.