Anthropomorphic miniature mask "ikoko"
R. D. Congo, Pende
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Ernest Godefroid, Belgium (ca. 1950)Taille
H: 6 cm
H: 2.4 inch
Description
ivory, shiny patina, of oval form, a crown-shaped coiffure, tattoos in the area of forehead and cheeks, holes for attachment, min. dam., on base;
those miniature masks with their three- or four-pointed headgear embody the powerful masked spirits “fumu” and “pumbu”, with which the boys will have a lifelong connection.The masks, which are usually made of costly ivory or hippopotamus bone, also indicate the owner’s status and prestige.