1916.45.100

Collection type

Object

Description

Wooden mask said to be from a headdress. [ZM 02/04/2013]

Long description

Wooden mask said to be from a headdress. There are carved, raised serpents on the cheeks and head and a carved ornamental circle. The face has a long stylized nose with flared nostrils, an open mouth baring 2 rows of teeth, raised eyes and a prominent brow. There is a band of carving around the forehead. Traces of yellow or orange pigment remain all over the mask. The mask is perforated around the edge, perhaps for attachment to the headdress. [MdeA / CW 30 4 98]

Geographical reference

Nigeria

Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria

Southern Nigeria Niger Delta Rivers State Abonnema

Cultural groups

Eastern Ijo

Kalabari Ijo

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 Pigment, Process Carved, Process Painted, Process Perforated

Dimensions

Length: max 380 mm, Depth: max 121 mm, Width: max 176 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1916.45.100

Research and responses

John Picton examined this mask during a consultation visit about the Ijo masks on 20 August 2013 and noted the following: This is a Kalabari Ijo head-dress mask worn as part of a costume in water-spirit (owu) masquerades. Amongst the Eastern Ijo, who are categorised as the groups living on the east side of the Nun River, which includes the Kalabari, water-spirit masquerades are looked after by the Ekine society. This type of mask is worn on top of the head with the carved face pointing skywards, although this makes the mask invisible to spectators at times they do see glimpses of the mask through the movements of masquerader's dance. This one is in good condition with carvings of snakes on the sides of the face and top of the head, these are probably pythons which are the biggest water deities. In the Kalabari area pythons are found in the water and can be dangerous. [ZM 21/08/2013]

Associated publications

Illustrated in black and white photograph as figure 27 (page unnumbered) of Kalabari Sculpture, by Robin Horton (Nigeria: Department of Antiquities, 1965). Caption same page reads: ‘Masquerade headpiece representing the water-spirit Abiogbo. Note python motifs on cheeks and above brow. Paint faded. The piece is here photographed as it would be seen in a museum - i.e. in a position which shows of its principal features to the best possible visual advantage. When it is used in a masquerade, however, the headpiece is mounted atop of the dancer's head with its face up to the sky. Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. 1" x 4"' [ZM 22/08/2013] Also see Talbot, 'Tribes of the Niger Delta', 1932, pp. 307-317. [CF 27/3/2001]

Search terms: Mask, Figure, Clothing Headgear, Theatre and Drama, Dance, Religion, Head Ornament, Headdress, Dance Accessory