Helmet mask "giphogo" ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3040754

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, narrow slit eyes and snout-shaped nose, disc-shaped projecting beard with zigzag ornaments along rim, knob-like projection with drilled hole on the head, min. dam., fine cracks, small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
the mask “giphogo” forms part of the chief’s treasure, and is kept in his residence together with other sacred objects. The masked dancer represents the political leader and symbolizes ancestral power.

The object Helmet mask “giphogo” with the object ID 3040754 was part of the auction 83rd Tribal Art Auction on May 28, 2016. The object with the lot number 445 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,400 with an asking price of EUR 1,300.

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Comparing literature

Herreman, Frank & Constantijn Petridis (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 73