Janusfaced helmet mask
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.