23 3/4 in x 11 5/8 in x 1 9/16 in (60.33 cm x 29.53 cm x 3.97 cm)Credit LineGift of Dale E. RiceSubject matter
Round masks are most often associated with the Eket peoples, a subgroup of Ibibio peoples who live in what is today southeastern Nigeria. Round masks with a small face were danced at agricultural festivals and at funerals of Ekong society members. Some masks have two faces, one above the other, while some have superstructures, as in the case of this one.
Cole, Herbert M. 2012. Invention and Tradition: The Art of Southeastern Nigeria
. Munich: Prestel. Physical Description
Circular mask with a round face in the center and a circular superstructrure. The eyes are cresent-shaped and the forehead and outer edge of the face are raised. The edge of the mask is decorated with alternating semi-circles in yellow and black pigment. The face of the mask is yellow with a dark marquise shaped mark in the center of the forehead. Above the central face is an open circle intersected by a vertical bar decorated with a spiral design. At the very top of the circle is a diamond-shaped projection. Primary Object Classification Sculpture Primary Object TypemaskCollection AreaAfricanRights