Helmet mask "lipiko" · Mozambique, Makonde · ID: 3042172
Bernhard Jäger, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
Description
light wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, naturalistic facial features, coiffure and eye brows from real hair, min. dam., small missing parts (rim), traces of insect caused damage and abrasion, cracks;
“lipiko” masks appeared at initiation celebrations. They were worn by the young initiates “vaali” at the “mapiko” masquerade. They were kept in special sacred houses outside the village. Women were not allowed to see them.
The object Helmet mask “lipiko” with the object ID 3042172 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 159.
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
Fenzl, Kristian, Makonde, Linz 1997, p. 129, ill. 38
Publications
AHDRC: 0142047