Lot 444 AN EKOI LEATHER MASK, (HEADCREST), NIGERIA

Wood, leather, kaolin white clay, Arbutus seeds, plant fiber. This mask was made by applying wet leather on a wooden sculpted Janus head. As the leather dried, it shrunk and stuck tightly to the wood. The leather on this mask is very thin to display as much detail from the wooden head as possible and in good condition. Originally this type of mask was made using human skulls, paraded as head hunting trophies. Due to colonial influence this changed to replica wooden skulls and the cult evolved into ancestor worship. From the Cross River area, where Nigeria borders Cameroon. Old Dutch collection.
H. 35 cm.