Ejagham Ekoi Wood Sculpted Headdress (Crest Mask)

This Ejagham Ekoi carved wood sculpture represents a female face with a young girl on top of her head. Two carved animals are on each side of the head. The sculpture has drilled apertures to the base. Such crest masks, often referred to as headdresses are attached to basketry caps worn on the top of the head.

Major art forms among the Ejagham people are linked to the *Ntoon* institution and to men's and women's associations. Among these art forms, the best known are large skin-covered headdresses (crest masks)—which may feature one, two, or even three or four faces—and smaller headdresses representing either a single head or a full figure. The crest masks are attached to basketry caps worn atop the head.

The masks are worn during funerals, initiations and other events. Some are startlingly naturalistic and may be portraits of known individuals.

Origin:
Country: Ejagham (Ekoi), Nigeria
Material: Wood
Height: 42 cms

Provenance:
Private collection of  Mr Alfred Spinnler. 

Alfred F. Spinnler, CEO of Swiss Pharma Nigeria Ltd. possessed a large collection of tribal art, many items coming from his godfather's own collection acquired in the 1940's. Mr Spinnler acquired a large collection of African traditional art and antiques during his 20 years working in Nigeria and Ghana.

Condition:
Some age related traces of use with scuffs and abrasion.