Mask "mgbedike"
Bonhams, New York, 13 November 2007, lot 2548
Description
wood, matt greyish brown patina, remains of black paint and white pigment, provided with four pairs of horns and a big strong teeth revealing mouth, inserted nails backside around the rim (for attachment of the costume), dam., minor missing parts, rep. in several places (horns to the left, tip of one of the teeth), traces of insect caused damage backside;
this grotesque mask, displaying obvious aggressive attributes, fits within the category of masks referred to as “mgbedike”. Masks such as this express concepts of strength, violence and bravery. The impact of this mask would have been even greater were the tradtitional costume still intact, a large, shaggy tunic with numerous accoutrements. To the Igbo who created and danced with it, this mask represents the embodiment of bravery and potency. However, it cannot be ruled out, because of the small size of the mask, that it may be of the type known as “ojionu” (compare Cole & Aniakor, ill. 238). They are primarily virtuosic dancers, and pairs of “ojionu” are often featured at festivals and large funerals.
Comparing literature
Cole, Herbert M. & Chike C. Aniakor, Igbo Arts, Los Angeles 1984, p. 131 ff.Publications
Bourgeois, Arthur & Scott Rodolitz, Remnants of Ritual, New York 2003, p. 22, ill. 49AHDRC: 0094816