Dance crest ·  Nigeria, Ibibio/Anang · ID: 3041951

Description

wood, blackish-brown patina, encrusted in parts, female bust, wearing a necklace with large bead pendant, worked on conical base, “fence-like” cane structure for attachment of a costume, rep. (breakage at the neck), missing parts (nose, plaits), insect caused damage (neck), fine cracks, traces of abrasion;
this realistic representation of a female head can be assigned to the group of the “mfon” masks (compare Hahner-Herzog, 1997, ill. 49). They embody the “beautiful spirits” and primarily perform for entertainment of the village people. They belong to the important “ekpo” society.

The object Dance crest with the object ID 3041951 was last part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction at March 4, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 262.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 49