Ibibio - Nigeria
06
days
06
hours
42
minutes
36
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 280 - € 330
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 136165 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Wooden Ibibio Mfon Ekpo mask from Nigeria, mid-20th century, 65 cm high, in good condition, provenance: private collection (Berthe Hartert collection, Argiles Collection, Barcelona).
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
The Ekpo society is responsible for organising initiation rituals for young people and ancestor worship,
as well as protecting the community with ceremonies and dances. The performances involve white masks (Mfon Ekpo) and black masks (Idiok Ekpo). According to John Messenger, a deceased person who had led a good and moral life is represented by a beautiful (white) mask when visiting their family, and one who had led a bad life by an ugly (black) mask. Thus, Mfon Ekpo masks such as this one represent a “beautiful spirit” who attained eternal happiness and serves as a bridge between the world of the living and that of the ancestors, where brilliant actions during their earthly existence justify their position as privileged intermediaries to watch over the welfare of humans, particularly those who are linked to them by blood.
Provenance: Berthe Hartert collection
Argiles Collection, Barcelona
The Ekpo society is responsible for organising initiation rituals for young people and ancestor worship,
as well as protecting the community with ceremonies and dances. The performances involve white masks (Mfon Ekpo) and black masks (Idiok Ekpo). According to John Messenger, a deceased person who had led a good and moral life is represented by a beautiful (white) mask when visiting their family, and one who had led a bad life by an ugly (black) mask. Thus, Mfon Ekpo masks such as this one represent a “beautiful spirit” who attained eternal happiness and serves as a bridge between the world of the living and that of the ancestors, where brilliant actions during their earthly existence justify their position as privileged intermediaries to watch over the welfare of humans, particularly those who are linked to them by blood.
Provenance: Berthe Hartert collection
Argiles Collection, Barcelona
Details
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Ibibio
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Height
65 cm
Provenance
Private collection
