Western Pende Phumbu Mask

This powerful Phumbu, or chief’s mask, was collected by Robert Keating during his three years in Zaire as a USAID economic development adviser to the Mobutu government (1970-72). From his return until after his death in 2012, this magnificent mask along with the bulk of the Keating collection remained in storage. As a result, the piece is in the same worn but good condition it was in when it was acquired 40 years ago. It is an older, used mask with great presence and good size. Stands at about 24″ tall on its custom base; the mask alone is 18″ in height including fiber coiffure.