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Pitt Rivers Museum

1919.73.17

Headdress mask with carved wooden figures of a man and a woman. [ZM 20/09/2013]


1919.73.17

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Headdress mask with carved wooden figures of a man and a woman. [ZM 20/09/2013]
Long description
Headdress mask with a base made out of what appears to be cane plant with a twisted length of plant fibre attached, presumably to tie around the chin when worn. On top of the base are two carved wooden figures, a female at the front and a male figure behind. Remnants of paint remaining. Secured with metal nails in places. [ZM 20/09/2013]
Geographical reference
Southern Nigeria Anambra State Onitsha
Cultural groups
Igbo
Person
Field collector Percy Amaury Talbot
PRM source Percy Amaury Talbot
PRM source Mr Pontifex
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1919
Date collected
By 1919
Acquisition information
Donated: 1919
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Pigment, Material Plant Fibre Yarn, Material Cane Plant, Material Metal, Process Carved, Process Painted, Process Twisted, Process Nailed
Dimensions
Diameter: max 170 mm base, Height: max 420 mm, Width: max 205 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1919.73.17
Research and responses

John Picton examined this mask during a consultation visit to look at Igbo masks on 12 November 2013 and noted the following: The ridge along the top of the female figure at the front represents an elaborate hairstyle. Female figures are often depicted holding a mirror and comb so these could have been part of the original carving. [ZM 19/11/2013]

Search terms: Dance, Clothing Headgear, Ornament, Figure, Mask, Dance Accessory, Headdress, Head Ornament