Bidspirit auction | Makishi Painted Masked African Figure

Makishi Painted Masked African Figure - This hand-painted cloth-covered figure represents a Makishi masked dancer, a tradition associated with the peoples of Zimbabwe and Zambia. The figure is constructed from stuffed fabric over an internal armature and is mounted to a simple, unvarnished rectangular wooden block. It is decorated with hand-applied pigments in a palette of black, white, and reddish-brown. The torso features a large concentric triangle motif, while the limbs are decorated with horizontal stripes. The face is painted black with white and red stippling and is topped by a tall, tiered conical headdress with white horizontal bands and vertical supports. A small fiber tassel is suspended from the peak of the headdress by a white string. The beard and two-tiered skirt are composed of bundles of natural fiber twine. No maker marks, numbers, or symbols are visible on the figure or the base. Height: 24 inches. The figure is in fair to good condition. There is fraying and a small tear at the junction of the left shoulder where the arm meets the torso, exposing the internal structure. Minor surface dust is present throughout. The pigments show light age-related fading and minor scuffing, particularly on the feet. The natural fiber skirt and beard are intact but show some stiffness and minor shedding consistent with age.