MAGISTERIAL YORUBA EPA/ELEFON MASK ~African Art/Nigeria Start Price USD 3,495.00 Current Price USD 3,495.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, October 06, 2008 End Time Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Location New York See more about 'MAGISTERIAL YORUBA EPA/ELEFON MASK ~African Art/Nigeria' Description .       • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •    Item offered:     Yoruba Epa / Elefon Mask  (Nigeria)   • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . Description: From our personal collection, on offer is a magisterial epa / elefon mask from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. This tall female figure represents the wife of the King, or Oba. Adorned by an elaborate coiffure/headdress, her presence is immediately felt as one of ultimate regality & composure. Her cheeks bear the vertical scarification pattern characteristic of the Yoruba; & her lower lip is punctuated by a lip-plug. She holds power objects, one of which is an egg-shaped orb. In his African Art in Motion, Robert Farris Thompson writes: "He [Michael Ayoola Arowolo, King of Iloro-Ekiti] distinguishes between the energy of Elefon, a cult of ancestral spirits, and Epa, a cult of culture heroes in splendid commemoration. He believes Elefon is older. He says Elefon are spirits; Epa, ancient men. He says choreography marks the difference: . Elefon means fast, agile dancing. Epa is slow, stately, ponderous, because of the heavy loads on the heads of the dancers. Elefon is strong, a manly festival. Epa is not as strong; it goes with slow and patient things. Epa does not lash people, like Egigun [an ancestral masquerade]. Epa does not dart about. It is a woman's kind of juju. Womanly cool surmounts demonic form, enormous eyes and mouth. This is an Elefon mask with an Epa-like standing figure. The tension between the two parts is admirably suggested; the woman is relaxed and giving, the mask is compressed and menacing. The speed and drive of the Elefon dance is in the curve of the bulging eyes, the stateliness of the Epa procession lies in the elegant standing of the woman." . Carved from heavy, dense wood, the mask weighs approximately 25-pounds. Despite a few imperfections in the wood, including dry age-cracks, the piece has been well-cared for & is in very good overall condition. This powerful sculpture makes a most impressive & imposing display. . Please note: for overseas buyers, there are size & weight considerations & potential limitations for shipping this piece. Please contact the seller to confirm the possibility of shipment to your country. .      . .               . . . . .                   . . . . . . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Materials: wood; pigments Approximate dimensions: 41.5" H x 9.5" W x 10.5" D Provenance: Tribal Arts Gallery, NYC Estimated age: 40+ years Total shipping weight: ca. 40-lbs. All sales final. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .   . . . Seller's note: for any buyers presently without an active PayPal account, &/or for those who currently have an eBay Feedback Score of "0" or less, who may be interested in bidding on/purchasing this item, please contact the seller FIRST using the "Ask seller a question" link to inquire about possible payment options & arrangements. Please accept our many apologies for any inconvenience this may cause; however, recent fraudulent & uncompleted transactions have unfortunately made it necessary to include certain stipulations to our eBay listings, including "PayPal account required." We sincerely regret having to implement these changes, but please know we will make every effort to accommodate you! .   . Payment must be made within 4 days of end of auction/sale. Seller reserves the right to relist any item not fully paid for within this specified period of time. All items carefully packed, & shipped promptly after payment received/cleared. Unless otherwise specified in the item description, shipping to the U.S. will generally be via USPS Parcel Post or UPS Ground Service. Expedited shipping upgrade is available & optional (please contact seller for adjusted shipping fees). Will ship worldwide, with international shipping rates to be determined by buyer's location. Insurance optional/additional, based on final sale price. Seller not responsible for any damages incurred during shipping. Buyer is requested to contact seller within 2 days of close of auction to confirm payment plans & shipping preferences. . . . Place a Bid!