Mask c. 1950s

wood

3d sculpting

egg art

sculpture

detailed texture

jewelry design

ring

sculptural image

stoneware

sculpting

wood

moulded

This carved wooden mask, created by the Makonde people of Tanzania, is a striking example of traditional African art. The mask, dating back to the 1950s, features a stylized human face with geometric patterns and a textured surface. It showcases the Makonde's masterful skill in carving wood and their distinctive artistic style, often characterized by intricate patterns and expressive facial features. The mask is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Makonde people and their art, which often symbolizes spiritual beliefs and ancestral connections. The mask is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Before Mozambique won its independence from Portuguese colonialism in 1975, Makonde men and women significantly modified their bodies in the name of beauty, as shown on this mask. The modification began at puberty as an important step toward maturity and cultural belonging, enlivening the face and framing the features with tattoos, chipped teeth, and a shaved hairline. Men wore wooden masks like this one at public dance performances, accompanied by drummers and a chorus. The carved hair comb and barrette on the mask show that not all the facial decoration was permanent.