Zoomorphic crest mask ("big" mangam) ·  Nigeria, Kantana (Mama) · ID: 3047076

Description

wood,, rest., missing parts, base

This mask shows the long, elegantly curved horns of the waterbuck (“Kobus ellipsiprymnus”) and belongs to the group of the so-called “great mangam”.

These masks were worn during events directed at securing agricultural success, promoting healing, and marking rites of passage as a part of a ritual complex called “mangam”.

A mask by the same artist published by Sweeney, 1970, Fig. 14.

The object Zoomorphic crest mask (“big” mangam) with the object ID 3047076 was last part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction at October 24, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 89 achieved a sales price of EUR 800.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Berns, Marla C. et. al., Arts of the Benue River Valley, Los Angeles 2011, p. 406 ff. Sweeney, James Johnson, African Sculpture, Princeton/Bollingen1970