Big mask with horns "atogbu akuma" ·  Nigeria, Jukun · ID: 3040520

Description

wood, polychrome paint, of elongated form with open snout, pierced square eyes, stylized human figure in bas-relief underneath the nose, linear scarification marks, metal clamps, rep. (left horn tip), missing parts through insect caused damage (snout, horns, parting), cracks, traces of abrasion;
belonging to the “akuma” cult. The mask was used manifold. It was called upon for healing a sick person or for thanking the deity immediately prior to the harvest of corn, it was performed at important funerals, greeted important visitors and helped to celebrate a good fortune. The mask is worn tipped back at an angle of about thirty degrees from the vertical.

The object Big mask with horns “atogbu akuma” with the object ID 3040520 was last part of the auction 83rd Tribal Art Auction at May 28, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 278.

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Publications

Afrikanische Kunst, Sammlung Robert Lewitzki, Unterlüß 2001, p. 54, ill. 80; Bomann-Museum (Hg.), Afrikanische Kunst, Sammlung Robert Lewitzki, Celle 2012, p. 26