Ref. 610

ANCIENT AFRICAN BODY MASK OF INITIATION. NJOROWE.
MAKONDE TRIBE (TANZANIA – MOZAMBIQUE). Nineteenth century.

Height: 53 cm
Width: 26 cm

Mask carved in wood imitating the body of a pregnant woman from Makonde ethnic group.
These female masks were carried by men during the rituals of initiation into the adult life of male adolescents.
This mask stands out above the majority because it has a handle on the bottom, which represents a female gender.
It is preserved in very good state except from an small breakout in a nipple. It has red polychrome remains.

From private collection of Philadelphia (USA) / Sotheby’s (December 2001)

Price: 2,500 €