Lot 101A
Africa, Tanzania, Makonde people, ca. early 20th century CE. A light wood, hand-carved helmet mask with large, downturned eyes, a flat, broad nose, and a mouth full of thin white teeth with a single large black tooth in the center. It has incised scarification marks in zigzags and other geometric patterns on the face. The Makonde live along the Ruvuma River and are prolific producers of masks. These masks are known as mapiko, and they are used in initiation rites, in which ancestral spirits appear wearing them. The dancers in the rites wear the masks tilted over their heads so they can see out of the mouth of the mask; they playact as these ancestral spirits, who are called Lihoka. These dancers are men who have been initiated within the society. Size: 9.75" L x 7.75" W x 8.25" H (24.8 cm x 19.7 cm x 21 cm)
Provenance: private Allen Davis collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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#125465
- Condition: Repaired crack on the back of the head; small areas of inactive insect damage around the rim. Patina on surface from age and handling.
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