There are many different forms of helmet or head crest mask that represent ‘Egungun’, the god of ancestors: some with round, smooth heads, others with a long braid hanging down, or the one presented here, with long ‘hare ears’ – in some literature they are also referred to as ‘elephant ears’. The Egungun masks always belong to the important clans. The aim of their ceremonial appearance is to establish a connection between the god of ancestors ‘Egungun’ (in the form of a mask) and the ancestors of the family concerned.
The present, old object is a ‘classical’ ‘Egungun’ helmet mask: it is carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood and dyed yellow, black, red and white. It has a wide, yellow face and black hair, characteristic, large protruding Yoruba eyes (white with black pupils), decorative scarification marks on both cheeks and a black goatee. The tall ‘hare ears’ are black on the outside, with red, black and white coloured edges with a linear triangle and striped relief. The inside of the ears were originally coloured red and white. A black and yellow chameleon with red eyes sits on the top of the mask.
Overall it is visibly a very old item, with some age-related damage (colour abrasion, a crack on the right and left, some pieces missing etc.). However, in spite of this, it is an impressive object belonging to the diverse art of the Yoruba people, with noticeable traces of use and patina. Height: 45 cm; width: 32 cm. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian Collection.

Lit.:
'Yoruba. Sculpture of West Africa' by William Fagg & John Pemberton III., fig. 35; 'African Artistry. Technique and Aesthetics in Yoruba Sculpture' by Henry John Drewal, cover photograph and ill. 130, 131, fig. 6 and ill. 138.