Belt mask - Edo - Nigeria
06
days
21
hours
24
minutes
54
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Masque de ceinture, a late 20th‑century Nigerian Edo bronze belt mask with provenance Edo culture.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Nigeria
Edo
African bronze head
Height :
Width :
Depth :
Weight :
This head or mask-face is part of the pure artistic tradition of the Kingdom of Benin (Edo people, southwestern region of present-day Nigeria). Its dimension precisely conforms to the scale of portable masks or belt-hanging masks of this culture.
1. Stylistic Features and Court Attire
The coral crown: The top of the head is crowned with a very detailed geometric mesh imitating the assembly of red coral beads. The protruding cones and the rigid lateral braids that frame the face represent the exclusive adornments of the royal family and high court dignitaries of the Oba's (the king) court.
Ritual scarifications: Above each eye, there are vertical relief marks (usually three or four). These frontal scarifications, associated with large eyes opened and eyelids lined, were the mark of nobility and Edo identity.
The neck frill: The base of the face flares into a striated neck frill that depicts the successive ranks of heavy coral necklaces worn by high-ranking individuals down to the chin during official ceremonies.
The concave structure: The piece is hollow and open at the back, cast using the lost-wax technique. It features pass-throughs or small attachment loops along the rim.
2. Use and Ritual Role: The Hip Emblem (Uhunmwu-Ekpen)
In the highly hierarchical protocol of the Kingdom of Benin, a bronze mask of this size had precise functions:
A belt or hip mask: Due to its intermediate size and its hollow back with attachments, this object was worn at the waist, fixed at the hip or on the chest by the Oba himself or by war chiefs during major state parades (such as the ritual Igue festivals).
A spiritual and political shield: Worn on ceremonial dress, this unalterable bronze face reminded all of the authority and divine legitimacy of the wearer. It also served as a protective amulet to repel sorcerous forces or enemies of the crown.
Commemorative evocations: Although the narratives sometimes view it as a "queen's head" or a reference to "Ife", these idealized faces celebrated more broadly the ancestors of the court, the Iyoba (Queen Mother) or prestigious chiefs, bridging the world of the living and the spiritual authority of the royal deceased.
Fast and protected shipping. Packages are sent with tracking numbers. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. Delivery via Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide
We speak english.
mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateNigeria
Edo
African bronze head
Height :
Width :
Depth :
Weight :
This head or mask-face is part of the pure artistic tradition of the Kingdom of Benin (Edo people, southwestern region of present-day Nigeria). Its dimension precisely conforms to the scale of portable masks or belt-hanging masks of this culture.
1. Stylistic Features and Court Attire
The coral crown: The top of the head is crowned with a very detailed geometric mesh imitating the assembly of red coral beads. The protruding cones and the rigid lateral braids that frame the face represent the exclusive adornments of the royal family and high court dignitaries of the Oba's (the king) court.
Ritual scarifications: Above each eye, there are vertical relief marks (usually three or four). These frontal scarifications, associated with large eyes opened and eyelids lined, were the mark of nobility and Edo identity.
The neck frill: The base of the face flares into a striated neck frill that depicts the successive ranks of heavy coral necklaces worn by high-ranking individuals down to the chin during official ceremonies.
The concave structure: The piece is hollow and open at the back, cast using the lost-wax technique. It features pass-throughs or small attachment loops along the rim.
2. Use and Ritual Role: The Hip Emblem (Uhunmwu-Ekpen)
In the highly hierarchical protocol of the Kingdom of Benin, a bronze mask of this size had precise functions:
A belt or hip mask: Due to its intermediate size and its hollow back with attachments, this object was worn at the waist, fixed at the hip or on the chest by the Oba himself or by war chiefs during major state parades (such as the ritual Igue festivals).
A spiritual and political shield: Worn on ceremonial dress, this unalterable bronze face reminded all of the authority and divine legitimacy of the wearer. It also served as a protective amulet to repel sorcerous forces or enemies of the crown.
Commemorative evocations: Although the narratives sometimes view it as a "queen's head" or a reference to "Ife", these idealized faces celebrated more broadly the ancestors of the court, the Iyoba (Queen Mother) or prestigious chiefs, bridging the world of the living and the spiritual authority of the royal deceased.
Fast and protected shipping. Packages are sent with tracking numbers. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union via Chronopost International. Delivery via Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide
We speak english.
mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Ethnic group/ culture
Edo
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Period
Late 20th century
Material
African bronze
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Belt mask
Sold by
