Mask - Makondé - Tanzania

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€ 50
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Dimitri André
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Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 150 - € 200
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ITBidder 1872
€50

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Makonde mask from Tanzania, carved in wood with cauris, 61 cm high, 30 cm wide and 22 cm deep, authentic original piece from Galerie/Antiquaire, in good condition with no stand included.

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Description from the seller

Makonde Masks – Tanzania

The Makonde people, primarily settled in Tanzania, are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship in wood carving and ritual adornments. Makonde masks, often decorated with cowries, were traditionally used during initiatory and ritual ceremonies, symbolizing protection, fertility, and the transmission of communal values. This piece features a cowrie on each breast and one on the navel, with slight cracks at the belly, reflecting the natural aging of the wood and its unique character.

These masks combine ancient cultural heritage with contemporary decorative interpretation, offering a captivating visual presence and sculptural elegance that integrate perfectly into an African art collection or any interior that values artworks. Their beauty lies as much in their traditional symbolism as in the carved shapes and details, creating a harmonious balance between ancestral tradition and contemporary aesthetics, for collectors and art lovers.

Makonde Masks – Tanzania

The Makonde people, primarily settled in Tanzania, are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship in wood carving and ritual adornments. Makonde masks, often decorated with cowries, were traditionally used during initiatory and ritual ceremonies, symbolizing protection, fertility, and the transmission of communal values. This piece features a cowrie on each breast and one on the navel, with slight cracks at the belly, reflecting the natural aging of the wood and its unique character.

These masks combine ancient cultural heritage with contemporary decorative interpretation, offering a captivating visual presence and sculptural elegance that integrate perfectly into an African art collection or any interior that values artworks. Their beauty lies as much in their traditional symbolism as in the carved shapes and details, creating a harmonious balance between ancestral tradition and contemporary aesthetics, for collectors and art lovers.

Details

Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Makondé
Country of Origin
Tanzania
Material
cowries, Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Mask
Height
61 cm
Width
30 cm
Depth
22 cm
Provenance
Gallery / Antique dealer
Authenticity
Original/official
FranceVerified
7719
Objects sold
95.18%
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