A large Ngere mask in the ‘classical’ style of this west African people. Carved from light, light-coloured wood and originally painted black, red and white on the front of the face. With broad, forward-bulging forehead with central scar. At the top of the head sits a bent nail, as ‘power giver’ for the mask creature represented. The eyes of the mask protrude and are broad, slit and shell-shaped. The actual eye slits, through which the mask dancer looks, are nevertheless small, round and lie next to the powerful, broad nose which is dyed red. A broad mouth with pouting lips constitutes the lower termination of the mask. Completely typical for the masks of the Ngere are the curved pairs of horns, which always emerge from the outer rim of the mask, curve inwards horizontally, and meet in the central axis of the mask’s face.
In the present case there are three pairs of horns, above, in the middle, and below. They are partly in relief, and originally painted black, red and white. These horns lend the Ngere masks their typical, expressive and powerfully aggressive manner. The rear, broad mask border is reduced and retracted. In this manner, the front part of the face attains its unusual size. The entire mask, especially the undyed reverse, shows a very good, old usage patina, with shiny areas on the correct places, namely, where the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin of the masked dancer frequently rubbed against the mask.
Height: c. 35 cm; width: 26 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: German collection.

Lit.: ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 44, ill. 4, 5 and p. 46; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, p. 457.