Mask - Wood - Igbo - Nigeria

BEAUTIFUL KAP-KAP DANCE MASK OGONI NIGERIA In a fine state, but with a sweet vintage patina. It dates back to the 1930 -1940 period. On stand. Provenance: Ex-collection of Ian Auld, London. Found by him in sity in the 1960s. Obtained by P. Westerdijk in his gallery in 1976. This small and finely carved dance mask represents a young lady with an intricate local hairstyle. Named Elu or spirit by the Ogoni, such masks exhibit pert noses and childlike features. Many such masks, like this one also, are cut across the mouth and have a hinged lower jaw allowing the dancer to open the mouth and speak and sing through it. The movable jaw is set –in with a row of cane teeth. Such masks do not completely cover the face of the wearer and are worn with a collar of vegetable fibers. They were danced in various festivals and used in the masquerades around the planting and harvesting of staple crops, especially yams. Literature: Martha G. Anderson and Philip M. Peek ( eds.) : Ways of the Rivers, Los Angeles, 2002, pp. 278 ff. Dimensions : 33 x 14 x 12 cm . People / Region: The Ogoni and Ibibio live in the coastal region of S. E. Nigeria. Weight: 760 g