African moon mask, Luba/Baluba, DR Congo, carved wood, beads.

Grand African mask "Moon Mask", handcrafted and vintage, 20th century, circa 1950–1970, attributed to the Luba/Baluba culture, Democratic Republic of Congo. Handcrafted from carved wood, covered with a black coating, circular in shape, adorned with a geometric design made of coloured glass beads and brass inlays, forming triangular patterns. The face features narrow, horizontally slit eyes, an open rectangular mouth, and a small nose. The reverse shows traces of tools and manual carving. 29.5 cm in diameter, approximately 7 cm deep, around 1 kg. Overall good condition. Visible cracks in the coating beneath the mouth, above the right eye, and below the nose. Cracks in the wood on the upper and lower parts of the reverse. Wear and signs of age consistent with the material. Wear on the upper part, likely related to an old attachment system, slightly visible. Overall, the black coating is peeling away from the wood at the edges and around the openings, with no breaks, and remains well in place.