Object Details
Maker
Ogoni artist
Label Text
Forms of Ogoni face masks range from human with a movable jaw to a horned antelope to this, the rarest kind of all: a blend of human and horned creature. Men and boys dance in these masks and add vigorous acrobatic movements. Historically, masks were worn in ritual performances for funerals and when yams were planted and harvested. More recently they appear at Christmas and New Year celebrations and to welcome important visitors.
Description
Wood face mask with a flange around the lower portion of the face, circular eyes with a low rim, an open diamond shaped mouth with projecting lips, two faceted horns curving foreward from forehead, two horns curving from the back, flaring gong like projection from the top of the head, traces of yellow pigment on face and horns and dark dots on the cheeks and superstructure. There is a restoration on the flange under the chin.
Provenance
Private collection, United States, -- to 2004
Exhibition History
Heroes: Principles of African Greatness, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 16, 2019–October 3, 2021
African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (deinstalled January 31, 2019)
African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013
Published References
National Museum of African Art. 2010. African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting. Exhibition card. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, no. 5 (detail).
Content Statement
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Image Requests
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Credit Line
Museum purchase
Date
20th century
Object number
2004-1-1
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Mask
Medium
Wood, pigment
Dimensions
H x W x D: 31.7 x 17 x 14.4 cm (12 1/2 x 6 11/16 x 5 11/16 in.)
Geography
Nigeria
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
male
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_2004-1-1