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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Makonde : Makonde Wooden Mask
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Makonde Wooden Mask - PF.4702
Origin: Tanzania/Mozambique
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
9.75" (24.8cm) high
x 6.5" (16.5cm) wide
Collection: African
Style: Makonde
Medium: Wood
£7,500.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
The Makonde believe in a universe that includes
human beings, ancestral spirits and malevolent
spirits. During important ritual ceremonies, such
as initiation, all three make their appearance
behind the guise of masks. The dancers, who are
the focal point of any ceremony, are adult male
initiates wearing masks and completely covered
in garments so as not to be recognized. Masks
represent ancestral spirits who return to earth in
order to express their joy at the successful
achievements of the initiation.
The joy from this delightful mask is obvious and
very attractive. Its features are quite realistic, (a
characteristic of Makonde statuary), and conveys
great enthusiasm and pleasure. It's size suggests
it was worn by a young male who would have
made full use of its power in a dance designed to
express a range of emotions related to his
passage form childhood to manhood. Every
detail is calculated to increase the impression of
an exalted state-- the wide open mouth,
overhanging brow and squinting eyes all make it
seem the mask's ancestral personification is in
the throes of wonderful laughter. Traces of
greenish-blue paint mingled with the dark grey
adds dimension and depth to the overall
expression. Through such masks the bond
between living beings and ancestral spirits is
further strengthened; which is, in itself, life
affirming.
- (PF.4702)
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