Zemanek-Münster

Female mask "wife of va" ·  Nigeria, Mumuye · ID: 3038122

not available anymore
Provenance
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels, Belgium
Size
H: 34 cm
H: 13.4 inch

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, an elongated head with large tubular eyes, pierced around the rim, missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
such masks are used in connection with harvest rites. When the corn has ripened the mask dancer performs together with his attendants, visiting all the neighbouring farmsteads. According to Sieber and Ververs this mask type is the female partner of the buffalo mask appearing at the “vabong” masquerade.


The object Female mask “wife of va” with the object ID 3038122 was last part of the auction 79th Tribal Art Auction at March 21, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 281.

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.


Comparing literature

Evers, Christophe, Art of the Upper Benue River, Brüssel 2003, p. 20


Subscribe to our newsletter

Join over 10,000 tribal art collectors. Don't miss out on upcoming news and auctions.

Subscribe today