Anthropomorphic mask "elu" · Nigeria, Ogoni / Ibibio / Eket · ID: 3046854
sold
EUR 1,200
Provenance
Alain Lecomte, Paris, FranceZemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 15 November 2008, Lot 270
American Private Collection
Size
H: 14 cm
H: 5.5 inch
Description
wood, encrusted black patina, base
“Elu” masks are brought out on all sorts of different occasions, for example during burial rites and harvest festivals, particularly the yam festival.
Their function is to impose law and order on the celebrants and to punish offenders, but they may also be used for purely entertainment purposes.
Publications
AHDRC: 0098933