Mask ·  Nigéria, Eket · ID: 3032891

Description

wood, greyish brown matt patina, remains of kaolin, round form with a human face in the centre, framed by radial projections, collection number “Ib 5 152-784” on the back, pierced around the rim, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage;
Salmons and Nicklin take the formal and ornamental elements as lunar signs, especially because the Eket are used to this imagery, which is expressed by the connection of their female deity or “Big Mother” (“eka abbassi”) to the moon. The circular form of the mask might be interpreted as a full moon, the triangular motifs as rays and the open worked eyes as a crescent.