Auction 105
Zemanek-Münster

Anthropomorphic face mask "sachihongo" ·  Zambia, Mbunda / Mbalango · ID: 3051610

Price EUR 800
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance
Provenance
Helmut Heintel (1926-2003), Stuttgart, Germany
Size
H: 46,5 cm
B: 43 cm
H: 18.3 inch
B: 16.9 inch

Description

wood, pigments,

“Sachihongo” most commonly represents the spirit of a cultural archetype - it is considered the incarnation of a mighty hunter, but it can also appear as an ancestor or a soothsayer. “Sachihongo” is symbolic of maleness, power, fertility and wealth.

The mask is is one of a repertoire of Mbunda and Mbalango initiation masks, collectively known as “makishi” (sing. “likishi”). They appear as part of the initiation and circumcision of boys known as “mukanda”.


The object Anthropomorphic face mask “sachihongo” with the object ID 3051610 was part of the auction Collectors’ Items Sale on September 24, 2025, lot number 323 at that time and is currently available for EUR 800 in Open sale.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.


Comparing literature

Felix, Marc L. & Manuel Jordan, Makishi Lya Zambia, München 1998, p. 72 f.


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