Igala Agba mask, Nigeria - Lot 79

Lot n° 79
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Estimation :
7000 - 9000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 9 750EUR
Igala Agba mask, Nigeria - Lot 79
Igala Agba mask, Nigeria Wood and traces of polychromy H. 35 cm Igala Agba mask, Nigeria H. 13 3/4 in Provenance: - El Hadj Tunde, Ibadan, Nigeria - Galerie L'Accrosonge, Paris This superb conical mask-casque shows a face covered with a multitude of scarifications and ritual incisions: vertical bands on the forehead and part of the cheeks, lozenges filled with opposing lines on the nape of the neck, triple furrows descending from the forehead to the corners of the mouth, temporal scarifications, etc. The finely detailed headdress is made up of small braids thrown backwards. Numerous small wooden studs are stuck on the helmet, which is also enhanced with black, white and red polychromy in a very good state of preservation. A kaolin-covered headband running from the temples to the chin frames the face and represents the beard of an elderly man. The name "agba" that characterizes this type of mask means "old man" or "ancient". The agba masks were performed at festivals, especially during aku, an annual ceremony that commemorated men who had died during the previous year if they had received the title of amanwulu or ibena during their lives. But, according to S. L. Kasfir, this type of mask also appeared in this region outside of funeral celebrations to commemorate the founders of local lineage groups.
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