Africa, Nigeria, Ogoni, ca. 1950 CE. A hand-carved and painted face mask featuring a dramatic human face with a tri-lobed, somewhat horn-like coiffure, a tall projection (perhaps a reference to the yam harvest) emerging from the center, and a curved horn-like entity at the back of the head. The visage presents large, ovoid eye holes for the wearer, a pointy nose, puckered lips, petite ears, and is painted with black and red details over a bright yellow complexion. Perforated around periphery for attachment of ornament and/or costume. Custom stand. Size: 5.625" W x 12.25" H (14.3 cm x 31.1 cm); 17.125" H (43.5 cm) on included custom stand.

The Ogoni people, living in the fertile land east of the Niger River Delta, have a long history of masquerading, despite the efforts of Christian missionaries to stop this activity. Their forms range from human visages with moveable jaws, horned antelopes, to more unusual examples that blend anthropomorphic and horned zoomorphic phenotypes. Ogoni masks have traditionally been used in a wide variety of situations - historically in performance rituals at funerals and when yams were planted and harvested. In more recent times they have been featured at Christmas and New Year's celebrations as well as on occasions to welcome elite visitors.

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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#113613

Surface wear with a few chips to the tall projection, scuffs and abraded areas, but overall excellent.