Zoomorphic mask
Nigeria, Boki
sold
EUR 4,200
Provenance
Pierre Vérité, Paris, FranceSize
H: 68 cm
H: 26.8 inch
Description
wood, the facial plane stretched with red leather, the tubular protruding eyes and scarification marks accentuated by white pigment, the hinged jaw inset with wooden splinters, separate carved projecting ears, crowned by a pair of strong horns, pierced around the rim, min. dam., cracks, traces of abrasion;
the Boki are an ethnical group belonging to the Cross River area in southeastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon. Like their neighbours, the Boki cultivated the old head hunting tradition, using the same dance crests. Masks are rather rare to be found.