Early 20th C. African E. Nigerian Wood Helmet Mask- Lot 157, Auction 7/30/2018
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Early 20th C. African E. Nigerian Wood Helmet Mask- Lot 157, Auction 7/30/2018

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Western Africa, Eastern Nigeria, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A large and rather unusual hand-carved wooden helmet mask of an abstract, hybrid zoomorphic (perhaps simian) or anthropomorphic form, its dramatic visage comprised of beady, widely-spaced, ovoid eyes, an exceedingly-voluminous nose with enormous nostril holes, and huge cup-shaped ears. The rounded head displays multiple perforations for ‘hair’ or other adornments. A single white stripe is painted from the forehead to the upper lip, and black- and red-painted details accentuate areas of the face. Though difficult to assign to a specific tribe, an expert we consulted suggested that the mask may be from a borderland region of Eastern Nigeria – perhaps Ibibio, Igala, etc. or a hybrid variant. Size: 10″ W x 11.5″ H (25.4 cm x 29.2 cm).

Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, light chips and nicks throughout, with fading to pigmentation, otherwise intact and very good. One large hairline fissure stretches from top of head to underneath bottom lip.

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA acquired prior to 1970

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