Abstracted Anthropomorphic Mask

Makonde or Mwera, Tanzania

Late 19th Century

Wood, Hair, Wax, Pigments

21cm Tall

Provenance:

Private Collection, Stuttgart

This extremely rare mask comes from an enigmatic subtype of Makonde or Mwera masks made during the 19th century, with almost all extant examples being collected and deposited in German museums before 1910. While similar to ‘Ndimu’ or ‘Likomba’ masks, the lack of lip plug and addition of fiber beards differentiate this type. These abstracted face masks are notable for their rather petite stature and highly abstracted form compared to most masks of the region. Nearly all are accentuated with woven beards, attached strips of fur, or human hair adhesed with wax. The delicately carved face is framed by two protruding ears pierced, in this case multiple times. There are remains of wax on both the chin and forehead, probably once securing fur or fiber attachments as seen in the comparable examples pictured. The eyes also feature remains of human hair secured with wax to suggest eyelashes, a rather unique feature to this type of mask. Incised scarification flanks the eyes and are adorned with traces of blue pigment.