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1938.15.17

White-face mask representing a European [ZM 12/12/2013]

1938.15.17

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Collection type
Object
Description
White-face mask representing a European [ZM 12/12/2013]
Long description
Face mask. Carved wooden mask with human features. The eyes and mouth are cut out. The seven teeth and the ear and ear plug have been carved separately and then attached via appropriately carved holes on the main mask. The right ear and ear plug are missing. The face is painted white, the hair, eyebrows and bottom lip are painted black/brown. The inside of the mask is roughly carved and there is a hole at each side near the ears. [ZM 08/04/2013]
Geographical reference
Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria
Southern Nigeria Abai State Bende
Person
Field collector Gwilym Iwan Jones
PRM source Gwilym Iwan Jones
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1937
Date collected
1937
Acquisition information
Donated: 1938
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Pigment, Process Carved, Process Painted
Dimensions
Width: max 210 mm, Depth: max 114 mm, Length: max 328 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1938.15.17
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: This mask looks like it represents a European. There are a number of well-known masks from this area (south-east Igbo north of the Cross River) representing Europeans, which are often called Bekee after Dr Bekee a nineteenth century explorer who was one of the first Europeans to be seen in Igboland. [ZM 20/11/2013]

Search terms: Mask