Mask with hinged jaw "elu" of the "ekpo" society
Nigeria, Ogoni
sold
EUR 700
Provenance
Manfred Schäfer, Ulm, GermanyWolfgang Nerlich, Munich, Germany
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 26 November 2011, Lot 283
Size
H: 18 cm
H: 7.1 inch
Description
wood, collection number 11/260", base
Elu masks, normally beneficent spirits, either male or female, were worn by young men of the “ogoni” secret society in ritual performances for funerals and when yams were planted and harvested. More recently they appear at Christmas and New Year celebrations and to welcome important visitors.
Publications
AHDRC: 0138583