Mask "okonpo" of the "igri" secret society · Nigeria, Igbo-Afikpo · ID: 3032212
sold
EUR 3,800
Provenance
Michel Egloff, Neuchâtel, Switzerland (1992)Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Size
H: 31,5 cm
H: 12.4 inch
Description
wood, concave vaulted, forehead ridge and nose bridge accentuating a vertical line, subdivided in different compartments with changing colours, grooved lines, calotte of plaited plant fibre for support on the rear (dam.), paint rubbed off;
this type is fairly rare. It is worn at great festivities, taking place at the beginning of dry season for example. Apparently it is worn by older men of higher rank. The term “okonkpo” (= fermented maniok flour), indicates its similarity in shape to a large wooden food tray.