A typical ‘Okoroshi mask’ of the Ibo, from south-east Nigeria, more precisely from the region to the east of the Niger River. Originally carved in light brown lightweight wood and dyed black on the front side, with red accents. Stylistically remarkable on this mask type are the widely protruding, broad and open mouth with two dyed red rows of teeth, the slit, also red accentuated eyes, next to a small, rounded nose, as well as the two cloverleaf-form decorative scars on the high forehead, above the two protruding eyebrows. At the top of the head of the mask sits a heavy, round and multiply pierced ‘tenon’, which served to support a specially carved and painted, high dance crest and to fix it to the mask (the crest is missing on this piece – see the illustrations in the bibliography appended below). In general, an interesting example of the very rare ‘Okoroshi masks’ of the Ibo, with minimal breaks to the lower rim at the back. Otherwise no damage. With an old shiny patina, especially on the inside, where the forehead and cheeks of the mask dancers rubbed against it during many performances.
Height: 32 cm; width: c. 17 cm.
First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian collection.

Lit.:
‘Igbo’ by Herbert M. Cole, ill. 35; ‘Africana’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. 95.