Rare anthropomorphic face mask "eku" · Nigeria, Benue River Valley region, Niger-Benue Confluence, Ebira (Igbira) · ID: 3046978
Jean-Pierre Jernander, Brussels, Belgium
Description
wood, kaolin, animal teeth, base
This mask probably appeared during a mask festival called “ekueci”, where the deceased returned to enjoy the hospitality of the living.
This night festival marked the end of the transition period from one year to the next. Women were strictly excluded from this festival, where different types of masks appeared.
The object Rare anthropomorphic face mask “eku” with the object ID 3046978 was last part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction at October 24, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 180.
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Comparing literature
Berns, Marla C. et. al., Arts of the Benue River Valley, Los Angeles 2011, p. 156, ill. 4.28