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Western Africa, Nigeria, Ogoni, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A wonderful carved wooden mask with narrow slits for eyes, pursed lips, petite ears and nose, and an ovoid coiffure. The articulated mandible is able to move independently of the top portion of the mask, and is attached by a pair of twisted and knotted reed strands. A layer of soft-pink paint covers the obverse side, perhaps suggestive of a Caucasian individual as the Ogoni encountered British colonists around 1901. Several small peripheral perforations allow for the suspension of an accompanying garment. Size: 3.75″ W x 6.25″ H (9.5 cm x 15.9 cm).
Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, small chips around periphery, with some fading and loss to pigmentation, otherwise intact and very good.
Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA acquired prior to 1970
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