**Originally Listed At $250**

Western Africa, Nigeria, Niger River Delta, Ibibio peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An expressive wood mask intended to represent a diseased or deformed individual known as Idiok Ekpo, enveloped in a dark brown pigment and desiccated earth. Gazing forth from openwork eyes with puffy folds of flesh below, the swollen visage presents puffy cheeks, a protruding chin, petite lips, a round nose, and a heavy brow surmounted by a horizontal crest. The Ibibio reside in small village groups and maintain social peace and order through the use of mask and figures that symbolize good and evil spirits. Such a fierce countenance represents an evil or immoral person, known as Idiok Ekpo, who turned into an apparition following death. Size: 8.5" W x 10.4" H (21.6 cm x 26.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173682

Old repairs with string at peripheries and wood stick at bottom of verso for support. Chipping with surface losses and old inactive insect holes to verso. Some abrasions throughout and stable fissure to forehead. Otherwise, very nice with rich patina.