Anthropomorphic mask ·  Nigeria, Iyekhoriomo Area, Edo-Bini · ID: 3046636

Description

wood, encrusted patina, kaolin, rep., base

This mask is characterized by particularly beautiful facial features and an elaborate headdress, which shows unusually many different motives.

The Bini live in the villages around the city of Benin. Like the Ishan and Urhobo, they speak Edo. In the area of Iyekhoriomo there were important centers for sculpture.

Masks of the Bini were used for dancing during the “ekpo” cult rituals. They represent clan leaders or dignitaries of high social rank.

The object Anthropomorphic mask with the object ID 3046636 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 253 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,300.

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

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, p. 262, ill. 140

Publications

AHDRC: 0089652