IGBOCross River Mask, EXTRAORDINARY, STAND, African Start Price USD 750.00 Current Price USD 750.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, October 05, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'IGBOCross River Mask, EXTRAORDINARY, STAND, African' Description Igbo' Cross River Mask, EXTRAORDINARY, African Type of Object: Large mask Ethnic Group: Igbo Country of Origin: Nigeria Materials: Wood, pigment Approximate Age: Mid 20th century Dimensions: Length is 31 inches on stand. Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: Old bug damage arrested, minor scratches Additional Information: This is old, used, rare, and wonderful. Snakes curl above the eyes, a face with Mona Lisa smile perches atop the mask, and crocodile teeth are on the sides. Insects have eaten away a chunk of the right side and the eyes have changed shape over the years. The mask is light in weight. There is a hidden away place on the border of Cameroon and Nigeria which produces art which doesn't resemble anything on earth. This is a unique mask from Cross River Region in West Africa, This area continues still to surprise and challenge even the most astute and knowledgeable collector. The imagination and creativity of the African carver and the great variety of forms of masks and figures are endless. This finely carved mask is most likely found among the Igbo of the Nsukka district in the north-central region in the of present day Nigeria. It is an area rich in a number of mask types serving major masking associations with a number of masks yet unclear as to their specific significance. A mask sharing some stylistic elements is identified as Ekpe or Ojuku and serves to control crowds during the appearance of other masks. The facial markings are found on this mask and its superstructure Igbo sculptures reflect local variations and styles and the stylized bird the carved serpent are local variants of symbols common among the Igbo. This mask is in excellent condition. The carving of the face and especially the mouth, nose and eyes are elegantly shaped and finely detailed. This large mask would add a significant holding in the arts of the Igbo to a collection. Recommended Reading: Cole, H.M. and C. C. Aniakor; Igbo Arts, Community and Cosmos. 1984. See also Blier Suzanne, AFRICA'S CROSS RIVER. The art of Nigerian-Cameroon Border Redefined. New York, 1982 **W3660** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!