Zemanek-Münster

Janusfaced helmet mask ·  Nigeria, Ibibio · ID: 3033509

not available anymore
Size
H: 57,5 cm
H: 22.6 inch

Description

wood, animal skin, polychrome paint, one face covered with red skin, the other remained natural and was dyed with kaolin, surmounted by two separate carved figures in Colon style, which are enclosed by disc-shaped ornaments, mirror glass, raffia ring, slightly dam., cracks, traces of insect caused damage, missing parts (both arms of the male figure), rep. (left ear of the male), on metal base;
the middle Cross River region is populated by several Bantoid groups (Ejagham) as well as by northeastern Igbo peoples. The most popular art form, the helmet mask with one or more faces, seems to be common to all groups. Facial features and scarification, as well as other mask characteristics, are freely borrowed by the various groups from their neighbours, often making attributions to a specific group all but impossible.


The object Janusfaced helmet mask with the object ID 3033509 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 291.

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

Lohse, Wulf, Colonne, Colon, Kolo, München 1980, ill. 67 Wittmer, Marcilene K., Arnett, William, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 76 f.


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