Maskette for the case - Igbo / Ibo - Nigeria

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Julien Gauthier
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Selected by Julien Gauthier

A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.

Estimate  € 170 - € 200
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Wooden mask of the Igbo people from Nigeria, titled Masquette de case, in good condition, with dimensions 315 mm high, 150 mm wide and 95 mm deep, not sold with a stand.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Nigeria
Igbo / Ibo
Wood
Height: 315 mm
Width: 150 mm
Depth: 95 mm

Geographical and cultural origin

People: Igbo (or Ibo).
Region: Southeast Nigeria (Niger and Cross River valleys region).

Stylistic features: This mask is notable for its elongated face coated with white kaolin, a classic trait of Igbo aesthetics symbolizing the world of spirits and ancestors. The dark lines emphasize the brow arches, the fine nose, and the mouth, while a carved bird sits atop the headdress, adorned with dark fibers.

Ritual use and function
The Maiden Spirit concept (Agbogho Mmuo): Although forms vary, the use of white kaolin is very often associated with female spirits or deceased young girls during masquerade festivals. The masks celebrate beauty, purity, and the spiritual connection with the beyond.

The house or altar mask: Its internal structure (visible on the back of the piece) shows a deep hollow but overall dimensions are often smaller or adapted to be hung. Beyond the ritual processions danced by initiated men, these masks could serve as protective masks fixed in family shrines or meeting houses to honor the ancestors and attract their blessings to the home.

The bird as a symbol: The avian figure placed at the top is a recurring symbol in Nigerian art. It often evokes the messenger between the world of the living and that of the spirits, or the spiritual clairvoyance needed to outwit sorcery.

Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International.

We speak English

Mask of African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue of African art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

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 Translate

Nigeria
Igbo / Ibo
Wood
Height: 315 mm
Width: 150 mm
Depth: 95 mm

Geographical and cultural origin

People: Igbo (or Ibo).
Region: Southeast Nigeria (Niger and Cross River valleys region).

Stylistic features: This mask is notable for its elongated face coated with white kaolin, a classic trait of Igbo aesthetics symbolizing the world of spirits and ancestors. The dark lines emphasize the brow arches, the fine nose, and the mouth, while a carved bird sits atop the headdress, adorned with dark fibers.

Ritual use and function
The Maiden Spirit concept (Agbogho Mmuo): Although forms vary, the use of white kaolin is very often associated with female spirits or deceased young girls during masquerade festivals. The masks celebrate beauty, purity, and the spiritual connection with the beyond.

The house or altar mask: Its internal structure (visible on the back of the piece) shows a deep hollow but overall dimensions are often smaller or adapted to be hung. Beyond the ritual processions danced by initiated men, these masks could serve as protective masks fixed in family shrines or meeting houses to honor the ancestors and attract their blessings to the home.

The bird as a symbol: The avian figure placed at the top is a recurring symbol in Nigerian art. It often evokes the messenger between the world of the living and that of the spirits, or the spiritual clairvoyance needed to outwit sorcery.

Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and a tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo International.

We speak English

Mask of African art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue of African art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

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 Translate

Details

Indigenous object name
Maskette for the case
Ethnic group/ culture
Igbo / Ibo
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
FranceVerified
1484
Objects sold
100%
protop

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