Igbo Mask Colonial Nigeria African Art SALE WAS $390

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Igbo Mask Colonial Nigeria African Art SALE WAS $390:
$79.99

TitleIgbo Mask Colonial Nigeria African ArtType of ObjectFace MaskCountry of OriginNigeriaPeopleIgboMaterialsWood, pigment/paintApproximate AgeSecond half 20th CenturyOther Dimensions14 inches H x 7 inches W.Overall ConditionPoor. Most ofÂ our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Â Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.Â We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.Â Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/Repaircracks in the back and in top of crest, hole and chips in top, wear and chips in places, damage and chips in crest.

Additional Information: A well carved face mask painted in pink with markings in black. This face mask comes from the Igbo people. It depicts a white man. The surface shows the masks was repainted several times and indicates some age and long use. Among the Igbo, colors have a symbolic meaning as Pink refers to the white person.

Masks and masquerades among the Igbo can at one time serve multiple and often simultaneous purposes.Some masks appear to initiate young boys into adult status and adult males into higher levels and status in the male\'s society. Beautifully carved masks will dance to honor the dead through masks that represent the beauty of young girls as spirit maidens.The offered mask is more likely a male character in the Okperegede masquerade, held at the festival to commemorate the reunion of the living community with their ancestors.

Okperegede masks play several characters including Asufu, a legendary warrior of the nineteenth century, his wife Eze Nwamnyi (queen of women\") and Nwamma (Child of beauty) the young junior wife. Without first hand information it is difficult to assign a nama and a specific role to our mask. The mask could portray a Onyeocha or \" White man\". During the Okperegede masquerade the Onyeocha dancer would wear a cotton cloth (Shirt and pants) and shoes and he would dance in refined gestures and graceful dances.

Recommended Reading:

Cole, H.M. and C. C. Aniakor. Igbo Arts. Community and Cosmos Museum of Cultural History, Los Angeles, 1984

I have examined this piece and agree with the description
Niangi Batulukisi, PhD.

**63363**

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