Anthropomorphic face mask "okua"
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Lot: 42
94th Tribal Art AuctionAnthropomorphic face mask "okua"
Nigeria, Idoma
| Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Bernd Muhlack, Kiel, Germany (received the mask as a present in Foumban, Cameroon, February 1976) Moctar Touré, Conakry, Guinea (2009) Peter Willborg, Stockholm, Sweden |
H: 8.3 inch |
1000 EUR
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance |
wood, pigment remains, metal, rest.
This type of mask is used amongst the southern Idoma. It comes from the Ikom region. There it is used by the "Osokom" clan of the Boki.
The "okua" masks who often dance in pairs, can be seen during funeral ceremonies. Characteristic are the raised temple scarifications, which often can be found on the forehead and chin as well.
Neyt, Francois, The Arts of the Benue, Michigan 1985, p. 134 ff.
