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| For additional detail, click on any photo below to see the higher resolution version of the image. |
Chokwe Chihongo mask
13" tall x 8" wide
wood, pigment, cloth, feathers, metal
ex private collection, MA
$500
A nice mask in good style that in my opinion was definitely carved by a Chokwe carver. The wood and the patina
seem to have a little age to them, but the inside of the mask doesn't indicate that it was ever worn or used. The
attachment of the feathers seems to be a more recent addition, but I would guess the mask to be from the 70's to
80's.
The chihongo mask is viewed as the manifestation of an ancestor spirit, and is believed to embody the spirit of the
deceased person. It stands for prosperity and male power, forming a complementary figure to the pwo mask with
its embodiment of female traits and beauty. Chihongo appears at special royal events and ceremonies, such as
initiations for the sons of chiefs, or the investiture of a new chief.
13" tall x 8" wide
wood, pigment, cloth, feathers, metal
ex private collection, MA
$500
A nice mask in good style that in my opinion was definitely carved by a Chokwe carver. The wood and the patina
seem to have a little age to them, but the inside of the mask doesn't indicate that it was ever worn or used. The
attachment of the feathers seems to be a more recent addition, but I would guess the mask to be from the 70's to
80's.
The chihongo mask is viewed as the manifestation of an ancestor spirit, and is believed to embody the spirit of the
deceased person. It stands for prosperity and male power, forming a complementary figure to the pwo mask with
its embodiment of female traits and beauty. Chihongo appears at special royal events and ceremonies, such as
initiations for the sons of chiefs, or the investiture of a new chief.
