Female mask "agbogho mmwo"
Nigeria, Igbo
not available anymore
Size
H: 33 cm
H: 13.0 inch
Description
wood, kaolin, black paint, remains of fabric around the rim, elaborate coiffure carved with small combs, prominent nose with bent back, raised scarification marks, enlivened by change of colours in black and white, incised collection number on the inside: “FAB 514-10-4357 80401”, silghtly dam., paint chipped off in parts, spots, base;
belonging to the men’s “mmwo” society. Such masks were worn by young men on harvest festivities and at the annual ceremonies in honour of the earth spirit “ane”. The dancers wore coloured tight costumes with false breasts.