**Originally Listed At $150**

Western Africa, Nigeria, Ibibio peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. An expressive, hand-carved wooden dance mask depicting an attractive face with exaggerated features and a prominent black coiffure. The face, resting against an integral back panel, displays a tall nose, almond-shaped eyes, puffy lips and chin, and black-painted scarification lines along the cheeks. Exhibiting a canary-yellow hue atop a soft pink underside, this mask exemplifies the upstanding deeds generally depicted in Mfon Ekpo masks. 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. They have traditionally created two types of masks: those that represent evil spirits or individuals who have committed wrongdoings, known as Idiok Ekpo, and those that represent virtuous beings called Mfon Ekpo like this example. Size: 10.75" H (27.3 cm).

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

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#130748

One peripheral side of mask repaired with light adhesive residue along break lines. Age-commensurate surface wear, fading and chipping to surface pigmentation, small nicks and chips to ears, nose, mouth, and peripheral border, otherwise very good.