Bush cow helmet mask · Nigeria, Mumuye · ID: 3036475
Ketterer, München, 12. Dezember 1987, lot 155
Description
wood, brown patina, red pigment remains (therefore to be classified as male type), of typical massive form, carved with a big, open snout and strong horns, forehead scarifications, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, fine vracks;
secret societies in groups all along the Benue employ horizontal masks representing bush cows and other animals. The general concept of the mask seems to be to place powerful and aggressive bush creatures at the service of human society and to provide protection for crops and man. They may also appear at important ceremonies such as installations and funerals of chiefs and secret-society initiations.
The object Bush cow helmet mask with the object ID 3036475 was last part of the auction 76th tribal art auction at March 22, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 469.
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Comparing literature
Wittmer, Marcilene K. & William Arnett, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 92