Makonde Body Mask
Artist: Unknown Makonde artist
Name: Lipiko? female body mask
Origin: Makonde people of Northeast Mozambique and Southern Tanzania
Made of: Wood (ntene) and pigment
Dimensions: H: 24 3/8” (62cm); W: 20” (50.8 cm); D: 7” (17.9 cm)
From: Gift of Oliver and Pamela Cobb 2008
Accession no. 2008-02-006
On display in the PLU’s Mortvedt Library (2nd floor)
Description: The mask is representative of a pregnant female showing the front relief of a large protruding stomach and two rounded breasts. Along the edge of the mask are various holes, some appearing to be purposefully made while others likely due to decay. The mask has several layers of color starting with dark brown layer along the edges, followed by a light brown layer and a reddish layer at the center. There is also a black splotch on the stomach above the belly bottom.