Helmet mask " oloko" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037148
Description
wood, matt encrusted patina, remains of polychrome paint, anthropomorphic janus-headed mask with rectangular open worked mouth and big eyes, crowned by a dog-like quadruped, rep. (breakage right ear), cracks, small missing parts, traces of abrasion;
such masks appear on the big “epa” festival celebrated every two years. The festival is opened by the “oloko” mask, showing the owner of a farm.
The object Helmet mask " oloko" with the object ID 3037148 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 339.
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.
Expertise
Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, 16.6.2003, Munich
Comparing literature
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Afrikanische Kunst in Deutschen Privatsammlungen, München 1973, p. 170