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1916.45.97

Wooden headdress carved with animal and human characteristics, worn on the top of the head. [ZM 04/04/2013]

On display

1916.45.97

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Collection type
Object
Description
Wooden headdress carved with animal and human characteristics, worn on the top of the head. [ZM 04/04/2013]
Long description
Wooden headdress carved with animal and human characteristics, worn on the top of the head. The mask is carved out of a solid piece of wood. There is a hollowed out section with a hole at either side through which a plant fibre ring-pad is secured enabling this to be worn on the top of the head. Remnants of animal fur and painted pigment in areas. [ZM 04/04/2013]
Geographical reference
Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria
Southern Nigeria Niger Delta Rivers State Abonnema
Person
Field collector Percy Amaury Talbot
PRM source Percy Amaury Talbot
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1916
Date collected
By 1916
Acquisition information
Donated: 1916
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Plant Fibre, Material Pigment, Material Animal Hair, Process Carved, Process Bound, Process Painted, Process Perforated
Dimensions
Height: max 155 mm, Width: max 225 mm, Length: max 635 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1916.45.97
Research and responses

See Talbot, 'Tribes of the Niger Delta', 1932, pp. 307-317. [CF 27/3/2001]

John Picton examined this mask during a consultation visit to look at African masks on 12 November 2013 and noted the following: This mask represents a water deity and combines the features of a human face and a crocodile with something in its mouth. Carved along the snout is a snake, probably a python. The bits of hair etc on the snout are probably the remnants of a sacrifice, which would have taken place alongwith prayer before the mask comes out to perform, this is done to conjure the water deity into the mask so 'spirits walk with their name'. The actual masquerade is for performance and entertainment. [ZM 20/11/2013]

Search terms: Mask, Ritual and Ceremonial, Theatre and Drama, Figure, Clothing Headgear, Dance, Headdress, Animal Figure, Ceremonial Object, Dance Accessory