Ikhoko

Pende · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Reference: MRF-11

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Height
5 cm
Material
Ivory

The Ikhoko are small amulets of the Pende, carved in ivory, to be carried as a medallion, neck-slope or concealed between the clothes. They are protective…

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Full original description

The Ikhoko are small amulets of the Pende, carved in ivory, to be carried as a medallion, neck-slope or concealed between the clothes. They are protective figures, not more than five or six centimeters, in reality Mbuya miniaturized, with the same healing properties as these masks. They are sometimes used in gratitude to the great mask for having obtained a cure. They are the object of attention by their owners who often proceed to anointings with palm oil, which gives them a characteristic patina with the course of time. This small mask has a circular scarification on its forehead, as well as on its cheeks.

Further technical information
Width
3 cm
Attributed period
First third of the century XX

Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.

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Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.

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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.

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