Lot 75A
Africa, Nigeria, Ibibio (Anang), ca. 20th century CE. An Ibibio polychrome carved wood face mask surmounted by a female with articulated arms seated and wearing a blue dress similar to a puppet. This piece was exhibited at the Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in "More Than A Pretty Face: Masks From West and Central Africa From the Rosen Collection." (2011) Rosen Collection number 109. It was also published in "Masks from West and Central Africa: A Celebration of Color and Form" (Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013) figure 205. See description below. Size: 20" H (50.8 cm)
The female figure seated on top of this mask is wearing a contemporary, short-sleeved dress. Her arms are articulated at the shoulders and elbows. One of the lateral appendages is missing. The same facial decorations, consisting of single vertical lines on each cheek and three short lines radiating from each corner of the mouth are present on the face of the female figure and the face mask. Both also have similar hairstyles.
The female figure with articulated arms is reminiscent of an Ibibio Ekon Society puppet. The Ekon Society was an important association of young Ibibio men, who used red puppets to perform humourous and satirical plays. In addition to being entertaining, the performances were a form of social criticism and control. The arms of the puppets were articulated at the shoulders and they sometims had a moveable lower jaw similar to that of the Ogoni mask. Ekon Societies have largely been replaced by new forms of entertainment among the Ibibio people, perhaps including figures with articulated arms situated on masks.
Provenance: Ex-Paul & Mary Rosen Collection, New York, published in Masks from West and Central Africa: A Celebration of Color and Form (Schiffer Publishing, 2013)
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#113741
- Condition: Missing left side support. Minor abrasion and high-point wear from usage. Overall very good.
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