Elephant spirit mask "ogbodo enyi" · Nigeria, Ibo-Izzi (Abakaliki-Ibo) · ID: 3036094
Description
wood, dark brown grounding, a thick layer of black patina, kaolin, big elephant ears, separate carved conical eyes, projection on the forehead, ring of banana leaves for support, slightly dam., minor missing parts (right horn tip), rep. (left horn), cracks (right ear), abrasion of paint, base;
these mask figures, who always showed an aggressive and violent behaviour, were originally responsible for social control. The mask was completed by an abundant grass fibre cuff at the lower rim, which veiled the dancers head, who wore a knee-length knotted plant fibre costume. Nowadays the mask type has just an entertaining function.
Expertise
Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, 01.05.2003, Munich, Germany
Comparing literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 55