Male helmet mask "lipiko" (pl. "mapiko") · Mozambique, Makonde · ID: 3049502

Name: Male helmet mask "lipiko" (pl. "mapiko")
SKU: 3049502
Price: 2500 EUR
Availability: InStock

Price EUR 2,500

plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance

Request

Provenance

Merton Simpson, New York, USA

Size

H: 22 cm

H: 8.7 inch

Description

wood, black paint residues, human hair, inventory no. “3285”, base

The making and performance of the “mapiko” helmet masks play a significant role in the social and religious life of the Makonde. They were carved outside the villages in a secret place and kept hidden in a mask house. Women and non-initiates were strictly forbidden to enter the place in the bush where the donning of the mask costume took place.

“Mapiko” masks performed at initiation festivals that took place shortly after the boys and girls return to the village. According to Fenzl, the mask dancer could represent a deceased but also a living person.

The masks are characterised by a strikingly realistic style of representation.

The object Male helmet mask “lipiko” (pl. “mapiko”) with the object ID 3049502 was part of the auction 99th Auction on November 12, 2022, lot number 368 at that time and is currently available for EUR 2,500 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.