Lot: 180

95e Vente aux enchères Tribal Art

Rare masque facial anthropomorphe "eku"

Nigéria, région de la vallée de la rivière Bénoué, confluence Niger-Bénoué, Ebira (Igbira)

Provenance Taille Prix d’appel / Prix d'Estimation
Phlippe Ancart, Brussels, Belgium
Jean-Pierre Jernander, Brussels, Belgium
H: 32,5 cm Cet objet n’est plus disponible.

wood, kaolin, animal teeth, base

This mask probably appeared during a mask festival called "ekueci", where the deceased returned to enjoy the hospitality of the living.

This night festival marked the end of the transition period from one year to the next. Women were strictly excluded from this festival, where different types of masks appeared.


Berns, Marla C. et. al., Arts of the Benue River Valley, Los Angeles 2011, p. 156, ill. 4.28