Face mask with articulated jaw "elu" ("spirit") · Nigeria, Ogoni · ID: 3048805
Description
wood, two-part, pigments,
“Elu” masks, usually representing beneficient spirits, were usually worn by young men of the “ogoni” secret society.
Historically, masks were worn in ritual performances for funerals and when yams were planted and harvested.
More recently they appear at Christmas and New Year celebrations and to welcome important visitors.
The object Face mask with articulated jaw “elu” (“spirit”) with the object ID 3048805 was part of the auction 98th Auction on March 26, 2022, lot number 219 at that time and is currently available for EUR 800 in Open sale.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.