Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: An old and unusual helmet mask of the ‘Mmwo’ type.
This helmet mask depicts a ‘beautiful girl who comes from the afterlife’. It is identifiable on the grounds of the white-coloured face (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 65). Carved in light-coloured wood, the hair and the three high, openwork combs are coloured black and white, red and black accents on the ears, eyes and mouth. Unusual in this 'Mmwo-mask' is its small, short and yet large face (whilst it is normally long and narrow). Henceforth it probably comes from one of the Ibo subtribes, called Ezza or Izzi, in the Northeast of the area of settlement of the Ibo. A piece with good, old usage patina on the outside as well as on the inside, with minor age damage (signs of exfoliation on the upper layer of white colour). First half of the 20th century; H: 42 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Private collection, Brussels.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
24.03.2014 - 16:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 4,000.- to EUR 5,000.-
Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: An old and unusual helmet mask of the ‘Mmwo’ type.
This helmet mask depicts a ‘beautiful girl who comes from the afterlife’. It is identifiable on the grounds of the white-coloured face (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 65). Carved in light-coloured wood, the hair and the three high, openwork combs are coloured black and white, red and black accents on the ears, eyes and mouth. Unusual in this 'Mmwo-mask' is its small, short and yet large face (whilst it is normally long and narrow). Henceforth it probably comes from one of the Ibo subtribes, called Ezza or Izzi, in the Northeast of the area of settlement of the Ibo. A piece with good, old usage patina on the outside as well as on the inside, with minor age damage (signs of exfoliation on the upper layer of white colour). First half of the 20th century; H: 42 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Private collection, Brussels.
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 |