20th C. African Igbo Wood Anthropomorphic Headpiece - Apr 27, 2017 | Artemis Gallery In Co
LiveAuctioneers Logo

lots of lots

20th C. African Igbo Wood Anthropomorphic Headpiece

Related Masks

More Items in Masks

View More

Recommended Art

View More
item-52662365=1
item-52662365=2
item-52662365=3
item-52662365=4
item-52662365=5
item-52662365=6
item-52662365=7
20th C. African Igbo Wood Anthropomorphic Headpiece
20th C. African Igbo Wood Anthropomorphic Headpiece
Item Details
Description
**First Time At Auction**

West Africa, Nigeria, northeastern Igbo, Ezza or Izzi, early mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved and hand-painted wooden headpiece, its expressive visage presenting almond-shaped eyes, a curved pointy nose, and an open mouth revealing incised teeth - with a long neck adorned with a carved choker and perforated for attachment to a costume. The face is painted red and white, white being the color of the spirit. Her coiffure presents one dramatic crest adorned with alternating red and white striations on a black-brown ground. Size: 5" W at widest x 13.75" H (12.7 cm x 34.9 cm)

The Igbo use a great variety - literally thousands - of masks, which represent and incarnate unspecified spirits or the deceased, forming an extensive community of souls. Perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of the many Igbo masks is their coloring; usually featuring chalk white to symbolize the color of the spirit. The masks are featured in a variety of dramas: sacred rituals (for ancestors and invocation of the gods), social satires, initiation rites, and public festivals. The Igbo are best known for their so-called Maiden Spirit masks (Agbohbho mmwo) which are danced by men at agricultural festivals and funerals of important members of the village. They are usually topped by elaborate coiffures, and intended to capture the purity, youth, grace, and beauty of deceased maidens. Masked dancers traditionally wore extremely elaborate costumes, some also ornamented with mirrors that reflect light when 'danced' or in movement, and often their feet and hands were covered. With their masks, the Igbo have a penchant for contrasting beauty and bestiality, the feminine and the masculine, black and white.

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#121203
Condition
The piece shows a few stable age cracks. Surface wear with minor pigment loss, nice patina and mineral deposits.
Buyer's Premium
  • 24.5%

20th C. African Igbo Wood Anthropomorphic Headpiece

Estimate $400 - $600
See Sold Price
Starting Price $200
5 bidders are watching this item.
Get approved to bid.

Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, us
See Policy for Shipping

Payment

Artemis Gallery

Artemis Gallery

badge TOP RATED
Louisville, CO, United States7,878 Followers
TOP