Helmet Mask: Bwoom

Artist Kuba Peoples (African)

Place of OriginDemocratic Republic of Congo

Date1875-1900

Dimensions25 in. (63.5 cm)

Mediumwood with leather, brass, fabric, cowrie shells, beads

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1970.18

Not on View

Label TextCalled Bwoom, this mask once formed part of a triad of masks that was danced at initiations, funerals, and other public ceremonies to dramatize the origins of Kuba kingship and to personify the great culture heroes of the past. Bwoom is variously described as a commoner, a prince, or as a rival who competes with the king (another of the three masks) for the love of a woman (the third mask). This mask’s forehead and mouth are covered with leaves of metal, and metal strips delineate the cheekbones. Beads and cowry shells accentuate the mask’s bold volumes.Published References

"African Art," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, vol. 16, no. 2, 1973, p. 43, repr. fig. 16.

Roberts, Mary Nooter, Facing Africa: The African Art Collection of the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, 1998, p. 21 and pp. 24-25, repr. (col.).

Comparative ReferencesSee also Wassing, Rene, African Art, Its Background and Tradition, New York, Abrams, 1968, p. 24.

cf. Leiris, Michel and Jacqueline Delange, African Art, New York, Golden Press, 1968, p. 341, pl. 396, p. 343.

cf. Cornet, Joseph, Art of Africa, Treasures from the Congo, London, Phaidon, 1971, p. 122, pl. 63, pp. 138-141.