Eket, Nigeria: A typical, old, small mask.
These round masks belonged to the members of the Ekpo federation of the Eket, in Southeast Nigeria. They were used during funeral dances as well as on the occasion of feasts celebrating the harvest of yam roots, an important nourishment of the Eket. The present, oval-shaped, small and very old Eket mask made of light-coloured, lightweight wood, displays a three-dimensionally carved, typical Eket head in a wreath of spikes. With typical tribal scarification marks, slit eyes, short nose and protruding lips. On the front side originally white-coloured, on the back black. It is likely that the present item was not used as a face mask, but as an application on the headdress instead (fastening eyelets for both types of usage are still visible on the outer rim). A very interesting object, with age damage: colour scuffed on the front, some pieces broken off on the back edge as a result of age. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century; H: 18 cm. (ME)
Literature: 'L'Art Eket' by Francois Neyt, ill. 21.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
24.03.2014 - 16:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,400.- to EUR 1,600.-
Eket, Nigeria: A typical, old, small mask.
These round masks belonged to the members of the Ekpo federation of the Eket, in Southeast Nigeria. They were used during funeral dances as well as on the occasion of feasts celebrating the harvest of yam roots, an important nourishment of the Eket. The present, oval-shaped, small and very old Eket mask made of light-coloured, lightweight wood, displays a three-dimensionally carved, typical Eket head in a wreath of spikes. With typical tribal scarification marks, slit eyes, short nose and protruding lips. On the front side originally white-coloured, on the back black. It is likely that the present item was not used as a face mask, but as an application on the headdress instead (fastening eyelets for both types of usage are still visible on the outer rim). A very interesting object, with age damage: colour scuffed on the front, some pieces broken off on the back edge as a result of age. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century; H: 18 cm. (ME)
Literature: 'L'Art Eket' by Francois Neyt, ill. 21.
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: | 24.03.2014 - 16:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 18.03. - 24.03.2014 |