**Originally Listed At $350**

Southern Africa, Mozambique or Tanzania, Makonde peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A beautiful helmet mask, hand-carved from lightweight wood. The mask presents large, curved eyes, a broad nose with delineated nostrils, a mouth full of thin teeth, enormous ears, and scarification marks tracing along the cheeks, upper lip, nose, chin, and forehead. The coiffure is carved out and resembles a large crown with four points, and the interior is carved out for wear. Size: 8" W x 8" H (20.3 cm x 20.3 cm).

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 play-act as these ancestral spirits, who are called "Lihoka." These dancers are men who have been initiated within the society.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California USA collection; ex-Dimondstein Tribal Arts, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#137347

Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age and use, very minor nicks to lip, chin, ears, face, and peripheries, with fading to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and dark-brown patina throughout.