A perfectly fashioned ‘chihongo mask’ of the Chokwe people. Made of hard wood, coloured red with powdered redwood. With the typical ‘cingelyengelye’ tribal mark (a sort of ‘Maltese cross’) on the forehead. With slit, deep-set eyes, small, fine nose, broad mouth with pointed rows of teeth and a protruding, round goatee. In the small, protruding ears hang copper rings and a key on the right ear. The high, round headdress consists of feathers, fabric, a zigzag strip of white and black glass beads, as well as of red and blue glass beads and buttons. On the rear of the mask hangs an attached part of the woven mask costume of plant fibres.
Only chiefs of the Chokwe people and their sons danced with such powerful and mighty masks, during their inspection tours through the villages of the area of their rule, to claim tribute payments and to conduct legal transactions. A very impressive piece, with good patina. No significant damage.
Height: c. 55 cm (in total); 25 cm (the mask alone); width: 50 cm (in total); 17 cm (the mask alone). First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Richard Dames Collection, Belgium; Piet Dijk Collection, Holland; currently: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘La Sculpture Tshokwe’ by Marie-Louise Bastin, ill. 33–37; ‘Chokwe!’ by Manuel Jordan, ill. 69–71; et passim.