Big face mask "idiok ekpo" ·  Nigeria, Ibibio · ID: 3032401

Description

wood, black encrusted patina, red paint, expressive forms: large eyes widely projecting to the front, a big square mouth opening, tubular warts on cheeks and head, dam., round openings in place of the ears, traces of weathering, cracks, paint rubbed off;
the theme of duality, an underlying motif throughout the art of Africa, is demonstrated in many ways in the masking traditions of southeastern Nigeria. Its most obvious manifestation is found in Ibibio “ekpo” Society masquerades. Here, representations of unrestrained and dangerous dark spirits “idiok ekpo” of those who have died socially undesirable deaths are juxtaposed with the serene pale countenances of beneficial and revered spirits “mfon ekpo”.

The object Big face mask “idiok ekpo” with the object ID 3032401 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 362.

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Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene K., Arnett, William, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 64 f.