Igbo Mask, Nigeria

- Igbo Mask, Nigeria

- An Igbo mask with an elaborate coiffure, big eyes, a short nose with wide nostrils, animal-like ears, the mouth slightly open and showing the typical inclined teeth; a dark black and brown patina with remains of white pigments.

- The Igbo believe in the Creator Chi and in numerous invisible spirits and Ale, the earth goddess. For their cultic purposes, initiations, funerals, agricultural festivities and entertainment, they use numerous masks, which also serve as social control. The enormous number of different masks embody unspecified spirits of the deceased, members of a large community of souls. A typical feature of the many Igbo masks is the lime-white painting, the color of the spirit.

- Measurements: 30 cm

- Condition: Good