Lot: 291

84th Tribal Art Auction

Mask "okoroshi oma"

Nigeria, Igbo

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Austrian Private Collection H: 11.4 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, kaolin, dark brown paint, slightly dam., traces of insect caused damage (above all backside), crack (chin), metal base;
"okoroshi" is best translated as "water spirit". The benign and friendly ones are "okoroshi oma" - "beautiful spirits", white-faced and white-dressed. The Igbo word "oma" means good, pretty, and light. Their aggressive male counterparts in dark blankets are called "okoroshi ojo", "ojo" meaning dark, ugly or heavy.