Zemanek-Münster

Mask ·  Nigeria, Urhobo · ID: 3039016

not available anymore
Provenance
Simon du Chastel, Brussels, Belgium
Size
H: 40,5 cm
H: 15.9 inch

Description

wood, polychrome paint, tribe-typical facial features and scarification marks, triangular rising head ornament with three vertical projections, rep. (breakage appendages), cracks, paint rubbed off, base;
this mask type is used in ceremonies honouring the water spirit “ohworhu”, common to the southern Urhobo communities. Once in a decade the people of Evwreni celebrate “ohworhu”. On two days of masquerade dancing and during preliminary rites spaced throughout the previous months, they honour the spirits responsible for the well-being of the community. Works of art in wood and palm raffia come to express deep-seated beliefs in water-and-forest-based spiritual forces.


The object Mask with the object ID 3039016 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 355.

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

Foss, Perkins (ed.), Where Gods and Mortals Meet, New York 2004, p. 122, ill. 71


Publications

du Chastel, Simone, Arts d' Afrique Noire, 1976, p. 24


Subscribe to our newsletter

Join over 10,000 tribal art collectors. Don't miss out on upcoming news and auctions.

Subscribe today