Masque Ci Hongo - Chokwe - Angola
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 550 - € 650
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Original Chi Hongo mask by the Chokwe, Angola, from a private collection; mid-20th century, 30 cm high, 1 cm wide and 1 cm deep, weight 1 g, in excellent condition.
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Description from the seller
Chi Hongo masks constitute one of the most prestigious artistic expressions of the Chokwe people, mainly established in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Worn during initiation and enthronement ceremonies for chiefs, these masks embody idealized female figures, symbolizing beauty, fertility and high social status.
Their manufacture requires exceptional craftsmanship: the sculptor works light wood to create a structure with delicate features, half-closed eyes and pursed lips, characteristics of the Chokwe aesthetic valuing restraint and nobility.
The surface is covered with white kaolin, a sacred pigment associated with ancestry and spiritual purity.
Scarification incisions and geometric motifs complete the iconography, while plant fibers form a voluminous wig that extends to the wearer’s shoulders. During ritual performances, the mask represents not just an individual but a collective entity, reminding initiates of their obligations to the community and the ancestors.
These objects transcend their utilitarian function to become symbols of Chokwe power and its social hierarchy.
Today, they are collected by international museums, although their deeper meaning remains rooted in the living cultural practices of contemporary Chokwe communities.
Presentation of our house of expertise
Based in Belgium, our house of expertise and sales specializes in African art and ethnography.
A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a record of several hundred sales with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate.
We regularly assist with liquidations, estates and dispersal of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries.
Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with pieces often offered without a reserve price.
Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.
Shipping within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for additional information.
Chi Hongo masks constitute one of the most prestigious artistic expressions of the Chokwe people, mainly established in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Worn during initiation and enthronement ceremonies for chiefs, these masks embody idealized female figures, symbolizing beauty, fertility and high social status.
Their manufacture requires exceptional craftsmanship: the sculptor works light wood to create a structure with delicate features, half-closed eyes and pursed lips, characteristics of the Chokwe aesthetic valuing restraint and nobility.
The surface is covered with white kaolin, a sacred pigment associated with ancestry and spiritual purity.
Scarification incisions and geometric motifs complete the iconography, while plant fibers form a voluminous wig that extends to the wearer’s shoulders. During ritual performances, the mask represents not just an individual but a collective entity, reminding initiates of their obligations to the community and the ancestors.
These objects transcend their utilitarian function to become symbols of Chokwe power and its social hierarchy.
Today, they are collected by international museums, although their deeper meaning remains rooted in the living cultural practices of contemporary Chokwe communities.
Presentation of our house of expertise
Based in Belgium, our house of expertise and sales specializes in African art and ethnography.
A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a record of several hundred sales with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate.
We regularly assist with liquidations, estates and dispersal of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries.
Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with pieces often offered without a reserve price.
Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.
Shipping within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for additional information.
Details
Indigenous object name
Masque Ci Hongo
Ethnic group/ culture
Chokwe
Country of Origin
Angola
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
30 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
