Description:

West Africa, Nigeria, Igbo peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A wooden mask in the Okoroshi Ojo style, hand-carved and narrow to be worn over the face rather than atop one's head. The mask's face is long and painted black with an oblong forehead textured with dozens of shallow grooves, while the visage displays a prominent nose, cupped ears, ovoid eyes, a thin mouth, and drooping cheeks detailed with age wrinkles. Okoroshi Ojo masks depict males, rather than females, and are painted black to represent evil water spirits which come forth during the six-month rainy season. Masks like this represent the malevolent behaviors of both nature and humanity, and are made to look unappealing in contrast with their graceful, white-painted female Okoroshi Oma counterparts. Size: 8.25" W x 11.25" H (21 cm x 28.6 cm).

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA acquired prior to 1970

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#130760

  • Condition: Section of periphery repaired. Age-commensurate surface wear, small chips to peripheries, eyes, and mouth, fading and wear to high-point pigmentation, otherwise very good. Light earthen deposits throughout.

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March 1, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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