Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria image 1
Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria image 2
Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria image 3
Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria image 4
Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria image 5
Lot 85

Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria

2 July 2020, 10:00 PDT
Los Angeles

Sold for US$7,575 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our African and Oceanic Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Ijo Waterspirit Mask, Nigeria

igodo
height 30 3/4in (78.1cm)

Provenance
Pace Primitive, New York
Private Collection, New York
Bonhams, New York, 19 November 2013, Lot 182
German Private Collection

". . . [the] water spirit headdress is used in the masquerades of the Ekine men's society (also Sekiapu). The headdresses worn in such performances blend the features of humans and aquatic animals (such as the hippopotamus) or fish. Although they are worn with a cloth and palm costume that covers the entire body, the headdress is the key element which is conceived of as the seat of the masquerade spirit's 'owner.' Ekine performances constitute a highly appreciated form of entertainment and invoke local water spirits for assistance and guidance. Skilled performers gain status in the community and are also the arbitrators of personal disputes." (Metropolitan Museum of Art, WEB, nd, 2013)

Intricately carved in light wood, the head protruding out from a slightly curved panel, rounded in the middle and rectilinear on top, four curved openwork flanges on each side and the bottom in rounded conical form with a raised zigzag motif above, the face with eyes projecting past the arched brows and on plane with the triangular nose and projecting mouth revealing teeth; fine blackened patina with encrustations and wear from cultural use.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

PERSONNAGE GUERRERO EN SERPENTINE Mexique, Culture du Guerrero, influence Olmèque, 350-100 av. J.C.

TÊTE HACHA VERACRUZ EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Veracruz, Période classique, 450-750 ap. J.C.

MASQUE ANTHROPOZOOMORPHE EN COQUILLAGE Mexique, Culture Maya, Période classique, 450-750 ap. J.C.

TÊTE EN STUC MAYA Mexique, Culture Maya, région du Yucatan, Période classique, 500-900 ap. J.C

VASE MAYA CYLINDRIQUE EN TERRE CUITE Mexique, Culture Maya, Période préclassique, 500-900 ap. J.C.

PERSONNAGE DEBOUT EN TERRE CUITE COLIMA Mexique, El Chanal-Colima, Période postclassique, 900-1521 ap. J.C.

STATUE AZTÈQUE DE CHALCHIUHTLICUE, DÉESSE DE LA FERTILITÉ, EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Aztèque (ou Mexica), 1400-1520 ap. J.C.

STATUETTE AZTÈQUE DE XIPE TOTEC EN PIERRE VOLCANIQUE Mexique, Culture Aztèque (ou Mexica), 1400-1520 ap. J.C.

MASQUE FUNÉRAIRE CHANCAY EN BOIS Pérou, Culture Chancay, 1100-1450 ap. J.C.

URNE FUNÉRAIRE CALCHAQUÍ EN TERRE CUITE Argentine, Style Santa Maria, Vallées de Santa María et Calchaquí, Diaguita-Calchaquí, Époque tardive, 1000-1400 ap. J.C.

VASE NICOYA REPRÉSENTANT UN JAGUAR EN TERRE CUITE Costa Rica, Culture Guanacaste, Civilisation Chorotega, ca. XIIe siècle ap. J.C.

Fine Ceremonial Scarf, South Sumatra circa 1910 silk, framed78 x 36 1/4in (198.1 x 92cm)ProvenanceEuropean Private Collection