Anthropomorphic miniature mask "ikoko" ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3034332

Description

ivory, attached to a necklace of red glass beads, thread on plant fibre strings, encrusted at the back, fine cracks through age;
such miniature masks with three- or four-pointed headgear embody the powerful masked spirits “fumu” and “pumbu”, with whom the boys will have a lifelong alliance.The masks, which are usually made of costly ivory or hippopotamus bone, also indicate the owner’s status and prestige.

Please consider the legal regulations concerning the import of ivory to the USA.

The object Anthropomorphic miniature mask “ikoko” with the object ID 3034332 was part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction on March 9, 2013. The object with the lot number 462 achieved a sales price of EUR 450 with an asking price of EUR 360.

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.