Lot No. 64


Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: A rare helmet mask of the ‘Queen of women’ type.


Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: A rare helmet mask of the ‘Queen of women’ type. - Tribal Art

This mask type belongs to the complex of the Mmwo masks of the Ibo, with their white coloured faces. The famous 'classic' Mmwo masks, with their high, openwork comb hairstyle, depict a ‘beautiful girl, who comes from the afterlife’ (siehe cat. no. 65). Unlike these, the mask of the ‘Queen of women’ type, in which a small figure (a child) always ‘rides’ the back of its head, represents a venerated older woman. On the occasion of the annual, theatrical Okperegede mask dances of the Ibo-Izzi, in the northeastern area of the Ibo territory, these ‘Queen of women’ masks play an important role. The present ‘Queen of women’ is carved in light-coloured, lightweight wood. Coloured black and white (traces of red on the crest). With good, partly encrusted patina on the outside as well as on the inside, with minor age damage (small pieces broken off on the back rim). First half of the 20th century; H: c. 50 cm, W: 29 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Private collection, Poland.

Literature: 'Igbo Arts' by Cole & Aniakor, ill. 259, 261.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

24.03.2014 - 16:00

Estimate:
EUR 2,000.- to EUR 3,000.-

Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: A rare helmet mask of the ‘Queen of women’ type.


This mask type belongs to the complex of the Mmwo masks of the Ibo, with their white coloured faces. The famous 'classic' Mmwo masks, with their high, openwork comb hairstyle, depict a ‘beautiful girl, who comes from the afterlife’ (siehe cat. no. 65). Unlike these, the mask of the ‘Queen of women’ type, in which a small figure (a child) always ‘rides’ the back of its head, represents a venerated older woman. On the occasion of the annual, theatrical Okperegede mask dances of the Ibo-Izzi, in the northeastern area of the Ibo territory, these ‘Queen of women’ masks play an important role. The present ‘Queen of women’ is carved in light-coloured, lightweight wood. Coloured black and white (traces of red on the crest). With good, partly encrusted patina on the outside as well as on the inside, with minor age damage (small pieces broken off on the back rim). First half of the 20th century; H: c. 50 cm, W: 29 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Private collection, Poland.

Literature: 'Igbo Arts' by Cole & Aniakor, ill. 259, 261.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at


Buyers hotline Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at

+43 1 515 60 200
Auction: Tribal Art
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 24.03.2014 - 16:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 18.03. - 24.03.2014

Why register at myDOROTHEUM?

Free registration with myDOROTHEUM allows you to benefit from the following functions:

Catalogue Notifications as soon as a new auction catalogue is online.
Auctionreminder Reminder two days before the auction begins.
Online bidding Bid on your favourite items and acquire new masterpieces!
Search service Are you looking for a specific artist or brand? Save your search and you will be informed automatically as soon as they are offered in an auction!