Lot: 252

83rd Tribal Art Auction

Anthropomorphic mask

Nigeria, Ibibio

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
H: 10.6 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, greyish- and blackish brown patina, strongly encrusted in some areas, sickle-shaped see slits, projections on top of the head and at the chin, rep. (below the right eye and left rim area), paint strongly chipped off, minor missing parts backside at the rim, base;
depiction of a sad character with lowered lids and with the corners of the mouth hanging down. This mask was probably used by a drama association in conjunction with other sculptural forms, such as marionettes.


Wittmer, Marcilene K. & William Arnett, Three Rivers of Nigeria, Atlanta 1978, p. 70