Lot 54A
Nigeria, Ibibio, ca. early 20th century CE. A large wooden mask with an articulated jaw and bold features characteristic of the Ibibio culture, its complexion painted with rich black pigment and red and beige highlights. Impressive for its carving technique, large scale, and powerful visage, this mask possesses striking facial features including open, coffee-bean shaped eyes, a protruding browline, an aquiline nose, elegant raised scarification marks at the temples and forehead, beautiful full lips, and an articulated mouth with carved teeth. The head is crowned with a headband carved to look like joined textile bands. The Ibibio reside in small village groups in southeastern Nigeria on the Niger River Delta and maintain social peace and order through the use of masks and figures that symbolize good and evil spirits. Such a strong countenance, painted so darkly (idiok), with its articulated lower jaw and sharp teeth represented an evil or immoral person who turned into an apparition following death. Those wearing idiok masks would perform at night to appear especially frightening! A stupendous example with a dark, lustrous patina. Size: 7.75" W x 12.75" H (19.7 cm x 32.4 cm)
Provenance: Ex - Adeon Gallery, Nick Poolos collection, Chicago, IL
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#113522
- Condition: A few small nail holes and expected surface wear commensurate with age and use. Great patina.
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