A funeral mask in the style of Ife. incl. stand This masterpiece of the art of the Kingdom of Ife is the famous pure copper mask associated with King Ooni Obalufon II, dating from between the 12th and 14th centuries. It stands out for its idealized naturalism and exceptional technical finesse. Facial Features and Expressions • A Perfect Oval: The face displays nearly perfect proportions, combining smooth modeling and soft lines that evoke youth and serenity. • Almond-Shaped Eyes: The well-defined eyeballs are framed by heavy, well-defined upper eyelids. Two thin, crescent-shaped slits are cut out just below the eyes to allow the wearer to see. • The nose and mouth: The nose features an elegant convex bridge and delicate nostrils. The mouth has full, fleshy, closed lips, sculpted in a highly realistic manner. • Anatomical ears: On the sides, the ears are depicted in a manner highly faithful to human anatomy. The system of ritual perforations • The hairline: A regular line of small holes follows the hairline at the top of the forehead and runs down the sides of the face. These holes were used to secure a headdress, ornaments, or a royal crown. • The beard and mustache: Rows of similar holes surround the mouth (on the upper lip) and trace the contours of the jaw, chin, and cheeks. They were used to insert black glass beads or hair to simulate a royal beard and mustache. Appearance and Display Stand • Metal and patina: The piece features a nuanced patina, ranging from dark brown to gray-green, resulting from the natural oxidation of copper over the centuries. • Presentation: The mask is mounted vertically on a thin black metal rod, resting on a rectangular, light-stained wooden base that highlights its hollowed-out profile. We suspect that it is a funeral mask that was used in ceremonies by high-ranking aristocratic figures. It would be the task of Nigerian anthropologists to clarify these questions through on-site research. The mask probably looked different than pictured here. Hair, a beard, pearls and headdress probably hung from the holes on the forehead and around the mouth. However, the earlier appearance and the exact identification can not be reconstructed. Normally it is assumed that such masks represent a king of Ife (an oni). And indeed, Ife expert Frank Willett has assumed that a very similar object is a portrait of Obalufons II, the third Oni of Ife, to whom the inauguration of the tradition of cast bronze is attributed. Stefan Eisenhofer: Enigmatic masterpieces. The art of Ife, in: Ife, Akan and Benin. 2000 years of West African art, Pforzheim 2000, p. 20/21. Frank Willet: Ife. Metropolis of African Art, Gustav Lübbe Verlag, p.27 " Ife in the History of West African Sculpture" 1967, Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery, Berlin, Invitation1.8.2019, with a similar copy of this mask. Some of the information is generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history. M*A*Z*1*6*3*0*1* The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.