Vintage Makonde Helmet from Tanzania

  

Makonde Helmet from Southern Tanzania and Northeast Mozambique. Southern Tanzania and Northeast Mozambique. Height: 15 Inches Width: 10 Inches Depth: 12 Inches. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two-three continents, and have been treasured by several owners. This has a small split and a crack on the head, but it does not compromise the integrity of the mask.

Do consider that these artifacts were used in dances, initiations, and religious activities. Please refer to the images.

There are small cracks on the art piece. This is a fabulous example of a Makonde "Lipiko" Helmet Mask from Southern Tanzania and Northeast Mozambique. The lipiko means helmet mask in Makonde.

The lipiko is the most important ceremony were initiates are introduced to the Makonde Society. The lipiko represents ancestral or bush spirits, and are welcoming the new initiates into the society.

Within the Makonde people, there is a continued relationship with their deceased ancestors which comes in the form of these lipiko masks. Most of these masks are very expressive and this one is no different with the eyes closed and the mouth partially open (where the dancers look out from). Just like the masks in West Africa, Makonde masks are sacrificed as well and this mask is no different. Design elements frequently include scarification marks and eyebrows, lashes, and coiffure made of real hair affixed with wax or nails. This example has an exaggerated forehead and sports a burlap back. The lipiko helmet mask, is carved from wild kapok trees, locally called ntene. The item "Vintage Makonde Helmet from Tanzania" is in sale since Saturday, October 10, 2020.

This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\African\Masks". The seller is "tribalmotifs" and is located in Granger, Indiana. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay, Russian federation, Ukraine, Cayman islands.

• Maker: Makonde
• Material: Wood
• Color: Brown
• Tribe: Makonde
• Original/Reproduction: Original