A TEXTILE, LEATHER, COWRIE SHELLS, BEADS AND HAIR 'MUKENGA' ROYAL MASKDemocratic Republic of the Kongo, Kuba50 cm high Provenance: Vittorio Bellini (1936-2009) collection.The 'mukenga' masks are among the most spectacular objects created by the Kuba culture, closely connected with the highest social hierarchies of the community. They are representations of the elephant, an animal that is associated with the royal world: the high central protuberance is evidently the tusk of the pachyderm, as well as the two smaller ones on the sides, which symbolize health and fertility respectively. The 'mukenga' were worn especially at the funeral of high dignitaries.