Delightful Likomba Mask

Through the end of the colonial eras in Tanganyika and later Mozambique, relatively little traditional art made its way to the Western art market. International commerce in the material, mostly run by Tanzanian merchants, only began in any concerted way in the 1980s, picking up steam through the 1990s. Traders peddling masks from southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique identified all helmet masks as Makonde and most facial masks or “half-masks” (likomba) as Makua. The Makonde and Makua are two different peoples, although they may reside in the same regions and even in the same villages, particularly along the coast. Certainly all helmet masks from this region are properly Makonde. However, likomba were made by both groups. There does not appear to be any distinguishing characteristic of Makonde likomba that differentiates them from Makua examples. Variations in style appear to be more the result of individual carver talents and intent. This is a delightfully small mask fashioned from a relatively soft wood. It shows signs of repeated cycles of use and washing. $500

7.5″ H

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