Southern Africa, Mozambique or Tanzania, Makonde peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A remarkable carved-wood mask featuring a life-like visage of slender, openwork eyes under heavy lids, a pronounced brow, a broad, naturalistic nose, high cheekbones, prominent nasolabial folds, and full lips held gently open beneath a thick moustache. Coated in a deep hue of reddish-brown, the wonderful vizard is adorned with a recessed "v" formed via black wax applique along its forehead, perhaps representing ceremonial scarification. Petite drill holes line the periphery of the mask, allowing it to be strapped to the head or costume of the wearer. Size: 6" W x 10" H (15.2 cm x 25.4 cm); 13.875" H (35.2 cm) on included custom stand.
The Makonde live along the Ruvuma River and are prolific producers of masks. Masks like this example are known as mapiko (singular: lipiko), and they are used in initiation rites, in which ancestral spirits appear wearing these masks. The dancers in the rites wear the masks and act as these ancestral spirits, who are called Lihoka. These dancers are men who have been initiated within the society.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-New York, USA collection
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#162882
Condition
Losses to proper left periphery, verso, upper lip/moustache, and forehead. Repair to proper right periphery with restoration over break lines. Expected nicks, abrasions, and petite perforations throughout, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, excellent with lovely patina.