A rare face mask (since helmet and pull-on masks are more frequent among the Yoruba) from the northeastern Yoruba region of Ekiti, used during feasts and processions in honour of important ancestors.
Made of light-coloured wood. The relatively small, oval mask face has deep-set, rectangular eyes and a prominent shot nose. A button of fibre cords in the mouth and a handle on the chin help the dancer to secure the mask.
The crest figure carved out from the same piece of wood depicts the god ‘Eshu’, a so-called ‘trickster’ deity, who needs to be appeased as he may do good as well as evil. Eshu features his typical, long plaited coiffure and beard, and holds a short sword and a fly whisk.
Overall an impressive, very old example of an ‘Olojufoforo mask’, with thick, encrusted, red sacrificial patina of powdered redwood and old usage patina (inside the mask). A smaller fracture to the crest of the hairstyle, mended with two metal braces. Otherwise in perfect condition!
Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; H: 64 cm. Provenance: Collection of Prof. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna. (ME)

Lit.: 'Yoruba. Nine Centuries of Art and Thought' by Henry J. Drewal & John Pemberton III, fig. 218.