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Helmet Mask (Bwoom)

A work made of wood, metal, glass beads, cowrie shells, fabric, pigment, seeds, thread, and leather.

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  • A work made of wood, metal, glass beads, cowrie shells, fabric, pigment, seeds, thread, and leather.

Date:

Possibly late 19th to mid-20th century

Artist:

Kuba
Kasai region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central Africa

About this artwork

Embellished with cowrie shells, beads, seed pods, copper sheeting, goatskin, and hair, bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks, all of which are treated as embodiments of nature spirits (mingesh). According to one local interpretation, the bwoom mask represents a prince who suffered from a neurological condition that caused his head to swell with accumulated fluid. Another says that bwoom is the image of one of the original Twa (Pygmy) inhabitants of the region. During performances the masks reenact episodes in the foundation of the kingdom.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Kuba

Title

Helmet Mask (Bwoom)

Place

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1875–1945

Medium

Wood, metal, glass beads, cowrie shells, fabric, pigment, seeds, thread, and leather

Dimensions

63.5 × 49.9 × 67.3 cm (25 × 18 1/2 × 26 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson

Reference Number

1982.1506

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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