Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

African Masks

  • All
  • Masterpieces of African Art
  • African Masks
  • Akan, Asante, Fanti
  • Bambara
  • Baule
  • Benin
  • Bura
  • Chokwe
  • Dan
  • Dogon
  • Fang
  • Hemba, Luba, Shankadi
  • Igbo, Urhobo
  • Ife
  • Mangbetu
  • Nok, Katsina, Sokoto
  • Oceanic
  • Senufo, Kongo
  • Songye
  • Yoruba
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: He-He Wooden Mask, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: He-He Wooden Mask, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: He-He Wooden Mask, 20th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: He-He Wooden Mask, 20th Century CE

He-He Wooden Mask, 20th Century CE

Wood
22.9 x 17.8 cm
9 x 7 in
PF.3382
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EHe-He%20%20Wooden%20Mask%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E20th%20Century%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EWood%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E22.9%20x%2017.8%20cm%3Cbr/%3E%0A9%20x%207%20in%3C/div%3E

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) Thumbnail of additional image
View on a Wall
This emphatically stylised mask was made by one of the 126 Bantu-speaking peoples of Tanzania, possibly the Hehe (also known as the Wahehe). It dates to the first half of...
Read more
This emphatically stylised mask was made by one of the 126 Bantu-speaking peoples of Tanzania, possibly the Hehe (also known as the Wahehe). It dates to the first half of the twentieth century. The mask is typical of the region, with a roughly oval silhouette, a comparatively small face, pierced round eyes, a triangular nose and a rectangular mouth. Detailing is strictly limited – small low-relief ears and a series of deep, vertical grooves that indicate hair – and this accentuates the geometrical qualities of the mask. Three small holes within the mouth suggest that it would once have been inset with teeth. The surface has a dark glossy patina.

Differentiating tribal artistic traditions within Tanzania is something of a challenge as the tenets of each group are not fully understood. They served variable functions, associated with harvests, lineage/ancestor worship and fertility in rituals that were described by early explorers but which are now rare or extinct. The (Wa)Hehe were especially militaristic, and it is possible that this mask was involved in some way with this aspect of their lives, especially given its rather fearsome appearance. The patination on this piece is extremely deep, implying a long use history and thus considerable social importance.

This is a rare and impressive piece of African art.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
2 
of  71

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields