Ibibio, Nigeria: An old, large mask with horns and a skull.
An unusually large ‘idiok mask’ of the Ibibio. Made of heavy wood, dyed black on the front. With typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and temples (broken on the left side). In the upper section the mask features two heavy, curved horns, and a carved skull between them (without lower jaw) with red-dyed eye sockets. This mask type, ‘idiok’, is used during mask dances of the men’s ‘Ekpo’ association and represents an aggressive, unruly spirit from the ‘other world’. The split nose tip alludes to the dreaded disease known as ‘gangosa’. A very impressive and highly suggestive piece with magnificent usage patina, especially on the inside of the mask. With age-related damage (colour scuffed, old cracks to the lower rim at the back and to the mouth). First third of the 20th century; H: 47 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 475; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 700, 704.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,400.- to EUR 1,800.-
Ibibio, Nigeria: An old, large mask with horns and a skull.
An unusually large ‘idiok mask’ of the Ibibio. Made of heavy wood, dyed black on the front. With typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and temples (broken on the left side). In the upper section the mask features two heavy, curved horns, and a carved skull between them (without lower jaw) with red-dyed eye sockets. This mask type, ‘idiok’, is used during mask dances of the men’s ‘Ekpo’ association and represents an aggressive, unruly spirit from the ‘other world’. The split nose tip alludes to the dreaded disease known as ‘gangosa’. A very impressive and highly suggestive piece with magnificent usage patina, especially on the inside of the mask. With age-related damage (colour scuffed, old cracks to the lower rim at the back and to the mouth). First third of the 20th century; H: 47 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 475; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 700, 704.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |