Pende Antelope Mask

Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony.

Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask is topped by a diamond-shaped superstructure representing a pair of horns. Intended to combine the traits of humans and antelopes, the mask would have been worn during masquerades to represent an animal spirit. We love the graceful sweep of the mask's narrow eyes and long nose, ending in a diminutive mouth.