Mask · Nigeria, Ibibio · ID: 3034970
Wolfgang Nerlich, Munich, Germany
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, face with tear sacs and filed incisors, crowned by a fully plastic head, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (back), traces of abrasion, socle;
probably a depiction of “mami wata”. “Mami wata” is often described as a mermaid-like figure, half woman (often nude) and half fish or serpent. In other tales she is fully human in appearance (though never human). The existence and spiritual importance of “mami wata” is deeply rooted in the ancient tradition and mythology of the coastal southeastern Nigerians (Efik, Ibibio and Anang people).
The object Mask with the object ID 3034970 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 232.
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Comparing literature
Drewal, Henry John, Mami Wata, Los Angeles 2008, p. 118, ill. 6.2