Mask (1) - Wood - AGBOGHO-IGBO-IBO - Nigeria

1st half of the 20th century, good condition with signs of wear and tear. This type of mask portrays a 'beautiful girl' who pays well-meaning visits on people from the afterlife. These 'agbogho mmwo masks' are used by young men in tight-fitting, colourful costumes in dances to celebrate the harvest and honour ancestors, women and earth gods. The 'agbogho mmwo' we have here displays the 'classic' design principles of these masks: Carved from one piece of wood, with a narrow, long face, small, slit, outlined eyes, a long, narrow nose and an open mouth with a row of teeth. The eyebrows, eyelids, ala of the nose and lips are black. The face itself has been coloured white with kaolin. With its old age, it is discoloured and blotchy from multiple kaolin applications. In African art, faces coloured white with kaolin often mean that these mask figures are actually 'dead', and are therefore a predecessor or ancestor coming to pay a visit from the afterlife! Above her white face, from the hairstyle upwards, this 'beautiful girl' is stained a black/brown colour. As are the concentric circular shapes which shape the 'hairstyle'. To the left and right, adjacent to the central crest, the helmet mask has two ornamental combs planted in the hairstyle, carved in decorative relief on the outside. All created from one piece! Overall, a straightforward, simple example of the 'agbogho mmwo style of mask' of the Ibo. Only minor, age-related damage. Dimensions: l: 57 cm, w: 20 cm, d: 32 cm. Shipping: insured shipping via DHL with tracking number.