Male dance crest "aku wunu" ·  Nigeria, Jukun · ID: 3046616

Description

wood, colour pigments, resin/ wax, seed pots (Abrus precatorius), base

This male “aku-wunu” mask is one of the most abstract known in Africa.

Worn vertically, it becomes anthropomorphic, with holes for the eyes of the dancer. Held horizontally, the mask turns into an animal with bovine horns and box-like mouth.

During the ceremony, this mask was worn halfway between the vertical and horizontal position, combining human and animal features.

The object Male dance crest “aku wunu” with the object ID 3046616 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 267.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Fardon, Richard, Fusions, Masquerades and thought style east of the Niger-Benue confluence, London 2007, p. 103 ff.

Publications

AHDRC: 0138579