Amongst the Mumuye, who live in northern Nigeria on the border of Cameroon, there are - in addition to their well-known ancestor figures - two types of masks: a large crest or shoulder mask, known as ‘Sukwava’ (see cat. no. 62), and smaller helmet or head crest masks, such as the present one, thought to be female and known as ‘grandmother’ or ‘old woman’. These ‘grandmother masks’ play an important role in the initiation of young tribal members, and they also dance at seed-sowing time, at harvests, at funeral rituals and other important events. The present ‘grandmother mask’ of the Mumuye was carved out of very hard, heavy wood, completely coloured dark brown and afterwards, outside, provided with an additional red tone using powdered redwood. This mask shows the classical form of a ‘grandmother’ mask of the Mumuye, with dominant, large, round eyes, a hairstyle of grooves in relief with short central parting, a curved stripe for a nose, and with a large, round, open animal jaw with carved teeth. The present ‘grandmother’ has a partly shiny usage patina. In particular in the interior, where it lay on the head of the masked dancer. Only a few, small pieces broken off on the lower rim. Otherwise no damage. H: 14 cm; W: 21 cm; L: 37 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.

Lit.: 'Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika' by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, colour ill. 126; 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, fig. 765; 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 97, fig. 13; 'Encyclopedia of African Art & Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 445.