In the Ibo territory in south-east Nigeria, this ‘spirit girl’ mask depicts a beautiful girl who visits mankind from the afterlife during the annual festivals in honour of a local divinity. These ‘mmwo’ masks, always represented with white face and black, tall crested hairstyle, are worn during dances by young men in tight, colourful, embroidered costumes.
The present ‘mmwo’ mask shows the typical style of the central Ibo region: the face is coloured white by means of kaolin, while the eyebrows, the slit eyes, the small, short nose, the open mouth with carved rows of teeth, as well as the decorative scarification marks on the temples and cheeks are coloured in black. As is the hairstyle, fashioned with deep chip-carved lines. Also the tall, central crest, carved out from the same piece, and the side arches, are decorated with chip-carved lines.
A helmet mask, or a pull-on mask, in ‘classical’ Ibo style, with only minimal, age-related damage (a break to the rear rim, a tooth missing). Otherwise, no damage. Good usage patina on the front (slight colour scuffing on nose and ears) and on the back, on the inside. On the inside an old collection label is also attached.
Height: 55 cm; width: 20 cm.First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Kegel-Konietzko Collection, Hamburg; currently: German private collection.

Lit.: ‘Igbo’ by Herbert M. Cole, ill. 30,31, 32; ‘Igbo Arts. Community and Cosmos’ by Herbert M. Cole & Chike C. Aniakor, ill. 224, 227, 232.