Belt mask - Edo - Nigeria
05
days
21
hours
58
minutes
49
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, an Edo bronze belt mask from the Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, dating to the late 20th century, in good condition and sold with a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Nigeria
Edo
Ancient African bronze head mask
Height :
Width :
Depth :
Weight :
This head or face-mask sits squarely within the pure artistic tradition of the Benin Kingdom (the Edo people, in the southwest region of present-day Nigeria). Its size precisely matches the scale of portable masks or belt pendants of this culture.
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Court Adornments
The coral royal headdress: 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 side braids that frame the face represent the exclusive adornments of the royal family and high court dignitaries of the Oba (the king).
Ritual scarifications: Above each eye, there are relief vertical marks (usually three or four). These frontal scarifications, associated with large, open eyes with rimmed eyelids, were the mark of nobility and Edo identity.
The neck frill: The base of the face widens into a ribbed collar that represents the successive ranks of heavy coral necklaces that high-ranking individuals piled up to the chin during official ceremonies.
The concave structure: The piece is hollow and open at the rear, cast using the lost-wax technique. It features loops or small fixation loops along the rim.
2. Usage and Ritual Role: The Hip Emblem (Uhunmwu-Ekpen)
In the highly hierarchical protocol of the Benin Kingdom, a bronze mask of this size had precise functions:
A belt or hip mask: Due to its intermediate size and its hollow rear 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: When worn on ceremonial dress, this indestructible bronze face reminded everyone of the wearer’s authority and divine legitimacy. It also served as a protective amulet to ward off sorcerous forces or enemies of the crown.
Commemorative evocations: Although some accounts view it as a 'queen’s head' or reference 'Ife,' these idealized visages broadly celebrated the court’s ancestors, the Iyoba (Queen Mother) or prestigious chiefs, bridging the world of the living and the spiritual authority of the royal dead.
Fast and secure shipping. Packages are sent with a tracking number. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union with Chronopost International. Delivery with Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide.
We speak english.
mask african art Afrikaanse Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere 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
Ancient African bronze head mask
Height :
Width :
Depth :
Weight :
This head or face-mask sits squarely within the pure artistic tradition of the Benin Kingdom (the Edo people, in the southwest region of present-day Nigeria). Its size precisely matches the scale of portable masks or belt pendants of this culture.
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Court Adornments
The coral royal headdress: 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 side braids that frame the face represent the exclusive adornments of the royal family and high court dignitaries of the Oba (the king).
Ritual scarifications: Above each eye, there are relief vertical marks (usually three or four). These frontal scarifications, associated with large, open eyes with rimmed eyelids, were the mark of nobility and Edo identity.
The neck frill: The base of the face widens into a ribbed collar that represents the successive ranks of heavy coral necklaces that high-ranking individuals piled up to the chin during official ceremonies.
The concave structure: The piece is hollow and open at the rear, cast using the lost-wax technique. It features loops or small fixation loops along the rim.
2. Usage and Ritual Role: The Hip Emblem (Uhunmwu-Ekpen)
In the highly hierarchical protocol of the Benin Kingdom, a bronze mask of this size had precise functions:
A belt or hip mask: Due to its intermediate size and its hollow rear 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: When worn on ceremonial dress, this indestructible bronze face reminded everyone of the wearer’s authority and divine legitimacy. It also served as a protective amulet to ward off sorcerous forces or enemies of the crown.
Commemorative evocations: Although some accounts view it as a 'queen’s head' or reference 'Ife,' these idealized visages broadly celebrated the court’s ancestors, the Iyoba (Queen Mother) or prestigious chiefs, bridging the world of the living and the spiritual authority of the royal dead.
Fast and secure shipping. Packages are sent with a tracking number. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union with Chronopost International. Delivery with Colissimo International to the rest of Europe and worldwide.
We speak english.
mask african art Afrikaanse Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere 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
