Lot 51A
West African, Nigerian, Cross Rivers, Boki people, ca. early 20th century CE. A rare and expressive example of early Boki artistry, this wood mask embodies the powerful visual presence associated with southern Nigerian masquerade traditions. The mask features dramatic almond-shaped eyes framed in white pigment, an open mouth with a subtly parted expression, and a tightly incised short beard along the jawline. Carved with rhythmic rows of textured hair, the domed coiffure arches high across the brow and temples, lending sculptural emphasis to the head's regal form. The cloth-wrapped rim, likely added to aid in performance wear, suggests long-term ritual use and care. This detail, combined with the carefully applied white pigment and timeworn patina, speaks to the mask's ceremonial role and cultural value. Size: 12.8" W x 17.5" H (32.5 cm x 44.4 cm)
Though few Boki masks survive from this early period, known masquerade associations among the Boki include nkang, egbege, and bekarum - each tied to secret societies or rites that reinforce moral authority, social order, or ancestral presence through dance and performance. Masks such as this would have emerged in dynamic masquerades, their stylized forms channeling ancestral wisdom and spiritual power. With its bold features and understated elegance, this mask stands as both a rare sculptural artifact and a testament to the enduring vitality of Boki ceremonial expression.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired in 2010 via descent; ex-private collection of Ralph T. Coe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, received as a gift in May 1999; ex-Taylor "Tad" Dale, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Monbrison collection
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#196122
- Condition: Missing teeth. Nicks, abrasions, and some stable fissures, as well as grime to cloth. Otherwise, nice presentation with good remains of pigment. Suspension wire on verso for display.
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