The Makonde are an ethnic group in southeast Tanzania and northern Mozambique, they presently live throughout Tanzania and Mozambique and have a small presence in Kenya. The Makonde are almost the only ethnicity in East Africa to create fairly naturalistic sculptures, primarily maternity figures. The naturalistic nature in carving of the Makonde masks is exaggerated, with their full lips. The Makonde have two main types of masks, the helmet crests, and face masks. The usual face masks portray particular individuals or occasionally represent sickness with all the different expressions of anguish.
This Makonde helmet mask is locally called the Lipico, it was used during initiation and fertility-related rites. Helmet masks represent ancestors with finely carved detailed features and a slight mouth opening exposing the teeth and the upper lip is adorned with geometric patterns, The top of the head has human hair covering its head, the entire face has patterns of scarifications. It has a brown patina and a considerably old age.
- Material: Wood and Hair
- Condition: Good
- Age: Approx 50-60yrs
- Origin: Tanzania
- SKU: LMSK-049
- Weight: 1 kg
- Dimensions: 21 x 26 x 23 cm