Face mask with articulated lower jaw "elu" ("spirit") ·  Nigeria, Ogoni · ID: 3049641

Description

wood, two-part, pigments, plant fibre, base

“Elu” masks appeared on many occasions: to promote fertility prior to the New Yam festival, to bring ancestral blessings and dispel evil spirits.

A simple mechanism allowed the wearer to move the jaw for use in masquerades or plays.

The object Face mask with articulated lower jaw “elu” (“spirit”) with the object ID 3049641 was last part of the auction 101st Auction at November 11, 2023 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 135 achieved a sales price of EUR 450.

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