Janusfaced mask "egungun" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037447
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, kaolin, traces of indigo blue pigment, helmet-shaped calotte, a costume from fabric attached to the lower rim, net-like cloth to look through, slightly dam., tears and missing parts in the fabric, faded patterns, spots;
“egungun” masks appear at festivals or in times of calamity to cleanse the town of wrongdoing and misfortune on behalf of the ancestors. The wearer is dressed in a costume that reaches down to the ground and completely conceals his face and body. The masked dancers are surrounded by assistants who use whips to keep the crowd at a safe distance, for it is dangerous to touch the mask.
The object Janusfaced mask “egungun” with the object ID 3037447 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 347 achieved a sales price of EUR 200.
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Comparing literature
Witte, Hans, A Closer Look, Berg en Dal 2004, ill. 271