Deformation mask "idiok ekpo" ·  Nigeria, Ibibio · ID: 3032644

Description

wood, remains of polychrome paint, a deformed mouth with tusk-like teeth, two stylized snakes (?) in the area of the forehead, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, traces of abrasion;
illness or deformation mask, belonging to the “idiok” masks, which were used to be danced at masquerades of the “ekpo” society, depicting people suffering of untreated leprosy, gangosa, syphilitic lesions, or mucosal leishmaniasis.

The object Deformation mask “idiok ekpo” with the object ID 3032644 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 321.

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