Tall African Ibibio Head Mask with Polychrome Nigeria Provenance

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Description

A tall Ibibio wood mask from Nigeria, Africa, circa 20th century. The head mask was carved in with a frontal … Read more A tall Ibibio wood mask from Nigeria, Africa, circa 20th century. The head mask was carved in with a frontal face with pierced eyes and a gapping mouth. On his head, a stylized hat with roundels extends toward the back with remnant of a cap hand-woven with rattan strips, on which fiber tassels would have been originally attached. The mask supports a pole figure on its head, who further supports a flat headrest on which two small Janus figures standing in opposite direction, symbolizing changes and transformation. The tired design renders the piece an elongated sculptural quality. The red and white pigment paint on the surface largely remains. On the back of mask, one can discern chisel marks from hand tools and patina of dark stain that appears to be resulted from use.
The mask is professionally mounted on a metal display stand. There is an old paper label under the stand with illegible numbers.
Provenance: Lot 343 Stair Galleries Sale: The Collection of Douglas S. Cramer and Hugh S. Bush, Dogwoo. June 26, 2010.
The catalog indicated that the mask belonged to Harry A. Franklin Family Collection of African Art. See less