Chamba Helmet Mask, Nigeria

height 19in (48.3cm)

Provenance
Michael Oliver, New York
Leon Meizlick Collection, Westchester, New York

Published
Herreman, Frank, Facing the Mask, Museum for African Art, New York, 2002, Cat. 61

Exhibited
New York, Facing the Mask, Museum for African Art, 2002

Of large, powerful and abstract form with well-balanced proportions, the curves of the finely delineated horns projecting up and inwards as a counterweight to the squared, broad and gaping mouth, the deeply hollowed dome-shaped head pierced around the edges for fiber attachments, as well as through each V-form ear and inside of the mouth, a central sagittal ridge runs down the middle of the head, the eyes are lacking; fine encrusted ochre patina with kaolin highlights along the sagittal ridge; wear indicative of significant age and use.