These impressive helmet masks, called ‘Giphogo’, are among the symbols of power used by chiefs of the Eastern Pende. Only chiefs are allowed to dance with this type of mask on the occasion of initiations and rituals of the ancestor cult of the Eastern Pende.
The present, very well preserved ‘Giphogo mask’ displays all the characteristic features of this type: it is carved in lightweight, light-coloured wood and coloured red, black and white, featuring an extensive ‘beard’ with black and white spikes in relief on the outer rim, a ‘breathing hole’ under a short blunt nose, large slit eyes, small protruding ears and a pierced round ‘button’ on top of the helmet head. The forehead and cheeks are adorned with decorative brass nails. The back of the head features a field with black and white spikes carved in relief, as on the ‘beard’, on top of a ‘curtain’ made of old, brown raffia fabric designed to cover the neck of the dancing chief.
An impressive object, with good usage patina (on the inside!) and almost without damage (slight colour abrasion to the beard and nose).
First half of the 20th century; H: c. 29 cm. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.

additional picture:
Photo: C. Souris, c. 1950, from ‘Het gelaat van de geesten’ by Frank Herreman and Constantijn Perridis.
Eastern Pende: A mask dancer with a ‘Giphogo’ chief mask in action. Around 1950.