

The ovoid head bears delicately-sculpted features in low relief, including a raised band of facial hair, or perhaps scarification, curling up the cheeks from the corners of the mouth, reflecting the arch of the eyebrows. At the proper left temple, and presumably also previously on the now-damaged right temple, is a diamond-shaped geometric grid of scarification, of a design frequently seen in Kongo art. Additions of magic materials cover abraded areas of the nose, proper right eyebrow, and upper lip. The fleshy parted lips reveal finely carved teeth exposed in an active, confrontational guesture, and plated metal eyes give the figure an alert, commanding expression.