Mask ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3032699

Description

wood, encrusted black pigment, kaolin, a gazing look from painted pupils and eyes framed with black paint, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, traces of abrasion, on metal base;
this mask type appeared at so-called “okoroshi” ceremonies, which are connected with rituals for deities or spirits of the water “owu”. The mask type is spread from the southwestern to the northern Igbo country. During the rainy season all activities come to rest for about a month, in order to celebrate the appearance of the water spirits. Two groups of dancers are posted opposite to each other: those who encorporate the good spirits “okoroshi oma” or “beautiful ghosts”, whose masks and costumes were dyed in white and on the opposite - those who encorporate the evil spirits “okoroshi ojo” or “malicious, dark ghosts”, whose faces are blackened.

The object Mask with the object ID 3032699 was part of the auction 69th tribal art auction on June 2, 2012. The object with the lot number 332 achieved a sales price of EUR 350 with an asking price of EUR 250.

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

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, p. 256