Rare Masque Edo-Bini - Nigeria

Rare anthropomorphic mask – Edo-Bini, Region of Iyekhoriomo – Nigeria

Private collection, Cournon-D'Auvergne, France.

Ancient ritual object, rare and visually striking, sought after by African art collectors

Old anthropomorphic mask attributed to the Edo-Bini culture, from the Iyekhoriomo region, in Nigeria. This piece immediately stands out for its powerful graphic presence, remarkable formal balance, and the quality of its ancient polychromy, still very legible.

The face adopts a particularly assertive geometric construction, with a rectangular and angular structure that gives it unusual visual strength. The bichrome decoration, dominated by a kaolin-white contrasting with deep dark areas, strongly enhances the volumes and gives the mask a rare plastic intensity. The eyes in relief, the nose extended by a metal ring, and the subtly drawn mouth contribute to the singular expressiveness of the whole.

One of the major attractions of this specimen also lies in the lower fringe adorned with beads and cowries, an ornamental element of great aesthetic and symbolic interest. These movable appendages greatly enrich the reading of the object and recall its placement within a ceremonial, performative and ritual universe.

Visible surface wear, natural abrasions of the material and the patina of age confer undeniable authenticity. The piece preserves a very beautiful visual coherence and a strong presence, both as an ethnographic object and as a sculptural work.

Authentic Edo-Bini masks of this quality, still presenting their peripheral ornamentation and a reading as strong aesthetically, are today highly sought after. This specimen constitutes a fine opportunity for any enthusiast of African art wishing to acquire a mask that is both decorative, ritual and collectible.

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Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we benefit from a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without reserve.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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