Miniature mask. Holo, D.R. Congo. H 9cm. The face with tapered chin, narrow nose and small, protruding mouth; narrow eyes, bonnet-like, elaborate hairstyle of small parallel braids and linear scarification marks under the eyes. The Holo are a small ethnic group of about 10,000 people who live on both sides of the Upper Kwango River and on both sides of the border between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In their history, which can be traced back to the 16th century when their queen Nzinga led her people from the Angolan coast to their present homeland, the Holo have experienced a whole range of influences that are reflected in their art and material culture. For example, they saw the Pende passing through their habitat, which can be seen in the mask offered here. Their language is related to that of the Chokwe, but also shows similarities with that of the Pende and Kwese, and finally their mask traditions were partly adopted by the Yaka. Black-brown, matt patina, intact. Provenance: ex collection Léon Gani, Paris, France; ex Zemanek-Münster, auction 85, Würzburg 4.3.2017, lot 369.