Helmet mask ·  Nigeria, Idoma · ID: 3036132

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, elaborate coiffure with disc-shaped middle crest and lobes on both sides with ornamental combs, forehead ridge and skin scarifications, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, paint rubbed off, base;
present mask strongly resembles Igbo “mmwo” society masks. R. Sieber relates that Idoma masks were employed by secret dance guilds often associated with headhunting societies (since outlawed). In the second half of the 20th century the secrecy ot the guilds has been relaxed and their spiritual significance diminished.

The object Helmet mask with the object ID 3036132 was last part of the auction 76th tribal art auction at March 22, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 439 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,200.

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Expertise

Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, 01.05.2003, Munich, Germany

Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene K. & William Arnett, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 102, ill. 244 Neyt, Francois, The Arts of the Benue, Michigan 1985, p. 153, ill. III.84