Mask "mfon ekpo" ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3041238

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, remains of red pigment, with regular and friendly facial features, dam., insect caused missing parts, abrasion of paint;
the theme of duality, an underlying motif throughout the art of Africa, is demonstrated in many ways in the masking traditions of southeastern Nigeria. Its most obvious manifestation is found in Ibibio “ekpo” society masquerades. Here, representations of unrestrained and dangerous dark spirits “idiok ekpo” of those who have died socially undesirable deaths are juxtaposed with the serene pale countenances of beneficial and revered spirits “mfon ekpo”.

The object Mask “mfon ekpo” with the object ID 3041238 was last part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction at November 5, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 295.

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