Anthropomorphic face mask "okua" · Nigeria, Idoma · ID: 3046479
Moctar Touré, Conakry, Guinea (2009)
Peter Willborg, Stockholm, Sweden
Description
wood, pigment remains, metal, rest.
This type of mask is used amongst the southern Idoma. It comes from the Ikom region. There it is used by the “Osokom” clan of the Boki.
The “okua” masks who often dance in pairs, can be seen during funeral ceremonies. Characteristic are the raised temple scarifications, which often can be found on the forehead and chin as well.
The object Anthropomorphic face mask “okua” with the object ID 3046479 was part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction on March 7, 2020, lot number 42 at that time and is currently available for EUR 1,000 in Open sale.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Neyt, Francois, The Arts of the Benue, Michigan 1985, p. 134 ff.
Publications
AHDRC: 0170494