Mask

About the Art

The Kongo-Dinga people are distinctive for their creation of copper masks made in the repousse style of hammering relief design from the reverse side. The masks were used in ceremonies to maintain order and promote social harmony. During funerary rites, they would be laid next to the corpses of the members of the Ngongo secret society as a sign of respect for the deceased.

FEATURED IMAGE
Artist(s) unknown (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kongo-Dinga people), Mask, 19th century, copper, height 11 inches (27.9 cm). Gift of the Dianne Komminsk estate, 2020.56