"Makonde Helmet Masks" exhibits the traditional, powerful heads of the Makonde from Tanzania in east Africa. Unusually realistic for tribal art, they are notable for their strong, Negroid, portrait-like features, real human hair applied in shaved patterns, raised or incised facial scarification, open mouths with bared teeth, large ears and frequent lip-plugs. The masks represent ancestral spirits and were used in initiation ceremonies, serving as expressions of their moral code. We have collected over 30 masterfully carved examples, all quite unique, plus two face masks and two figures to round out the show.

MAKONDE, HELMET MASK, Tanzania © John Urban

This unusually realistic head includes strong, portrait-like features, real human hair applied in shaved patterns and raised facial scarification. It represented an ancestral spirit in initiation ceremonies and served to express their moral code.