Mixed lot (2 items): Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: Two small Ibo masks with similar styles.
Two relatively small Ibo masks, which were probably worn on the head over a large costume (they have no holes for the eyes!). They are both carved in a very similar, yet not identical style. Stylistically, they probably belong to a smaller subgroup of the Ibo (Ibo-Izzi, Ibo-Afikpo or other groups). Made of light-coloured, lightweight wood, the faces coloured in white (like the large ‘mmwo masks’ of the Ibo). The hair, the forehead with sketched ‘ichi scarification marks’, the eyes, nostrils and lips are all dyed black. Both mouths are open, each with two rows of white teeth. In both masks the parting of the hair is surmounted by three ‘vessels’, dyed white and red. The inside of the masks is coloured in brown with smooth, shiny surfaces of old usage patina. Minor age-related damage. First half of the 20th century; H: 26 cm and 27 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 4,000.- to EUR 5,000.-
Mixed lot (2 items): Ibo (or Igbo), Nigeria: Two small Ibo masks with similar styles.
Two relatively small Ibo masks, which were probably worn on the head over a large costume (they have no holes for the eyes!). They are both carved in a very similar, yet not identical style. Stylistically, they probably belong to a smaller subgroup of the Ibo (Ibo-Izzi, Ibo-Afikpo or other groups). Made of light-coloured, lightweight wood, the faces coloured in white (like the large ‘mmwo masks’ of the Ibo). The hair, the forehead with sketched ‘ichi scarification marks’, the eyes, nostrils and lips are all dyed black. Both mouths are open, each with two rows of white teeth. In both masks the parting of the hair is surmounted by three ‘vessels’, dyed white and red. The inside of the masks is coloured in brown with smooth, shiny surfaces of old usage patina. Minor age-related damage. First half of the 20th century; H: 26 cm and 27 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |