Helmet mask ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037442

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, kaolin, red pigment, inserted wooden teeth, plant fibre beard fixed with metal clamps (partly loosened), remains of a costume made from indigo blue cotton at the lower rim, drilled holes for insertion of feather ornament on forehead and head, slightly dam. (nose, left ear, backside at the rim), base;
possibly representing an “elefon” mask, which depicts the cultural hero and warrior “okotorojo” and is danced at “elefon” festivals.

The object Helmet mask with the object ID 3037442 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 350.

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

Witte, Hans, A Closer Look, Berg en Dal 2004, p. 210