Luvale. <em>Likishi Dance Costume Shirt and Head Cover with Pwo Mask</em>, late 19th or early 20th century. Fiber, wood, seedpods, hide, metal, 40 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.  (102.9 x 21.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 36.548. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 36.548_36.549_36.550a-b_36.551a-b_36.552_36.553_threequarter_installation_SL1.jpg)

Likishi Dance Costume Shirt and Head Cover with Pwo Mask

Artist:LuvaleChokwe

Medium: Fiber, wood, seedpods, hide, metal

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:late 19th or early 20th century

Dimensions: 40 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (102.9 x 21.6 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 36.548

Image: 36.548_36.549_36.550a-b_36.551a-b_36.552_36.553_threequarter_installation_SL1.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Dance costume consisting of carved wooden mask, painted a light brown with small mouth lines, sharp white teeth, and slit eyes. A headdress-turban painted black is sewn to the costume, made of coiled fiber, and forms a tasseled fringe at the rear. A body covering of netted fiber dyed with dark and light brown is woven into stripes against a natural yellow ground. Carved wooden nipples are sewn to the front of the costume. Figure stands about 5' 5". CONDITION: The costume had been fitted over a mannequin and displayed for many years in the African Gallery, 1st floor of museum, and is much frayed from handling by visitiors and dirty from exposure. Hands have suffered the most damage, in their extended position.

Brooklyn Museum