Maiden spirit mask "agbogho mmwo" · Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3046166
Gordon Heath, New York, USA/ Paris
Roger Bourahimou, Brussels, Belgium
Description
wood, pigment remains, fabric, rest., base
The “agbogho mmwo” mask type embodies the ideal image of a woman, both in terms of physical beauty and moral values. The white clay pigmentation on the face refers to the spirits of the revered ancestors.
This masks are used mostly during agricultural festivals (usually the dry season), such as the annual “fame of maidens” festival. Also at funerals of important members of the “mmwo” society or in honour of village deities.
The object Maiden spirit mask “agbogho mmwo” with the object ID 3046166 was last part of the auction 93rd Tribal Art Auction at November 16, 2019 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 193 achieved a sales price of EUR 6,000.
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.
Publications
"Cultures, The World Arts Fair", 12-16 June 2019, Brussels, p. 15
AHDRC: 0162381