Zoomorphic helmet mask "vaa-bong" · Nigeria, Northeastern, Benue Valley, Mumuye · ID: 3046760
German Private Collection
Description
wood, pigments, base
These helmet masks are documented by photographs taken by Arnold Rubin in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Zinna, Pantisawa and other Mumuye towns south of the Benue River
In his fieldnotes, he links “vaa-bong” performances to agricultural cycles as well as initiation and other male-oriented events including funerary ceremonies, armed conflict and beer making.
The object Zoomorphic helmet mask “vaa-bong” with the object ID 3046760 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 188 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,200.
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. 354 ff.
Publications
AHDRC: 0158332