Rare mask "okonkpo" of the "igri" secret society ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3040600

Description

wood, black paint, red and white pigment, min. remains of yellow ochre, geometrical patterns in flat relief accentuated by different colours, rectangular deepening with drilled holes running around the rim on the backside, slightly dam., minor missing parts, small traces of insect caused damage;
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.

The object Rare mask “okonkpo” of the “igri” secret society with the object ID 3040600 was last part of the auction 83rd Tribal Art Auction at May 28, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 269 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,200.

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