Igbo (Ibo), Nigeria

Spirit mask. The Igbo people occupy the plateaus of southern Nigeria. They are subdivided into thirty-three subgroups and are spread out among about two hundred villages. The lack of overall centralization among the Igbo-speaking peoples has been conducive to the development of a great variety of art styles and cultural practices. The Igbo use thousands of masks, which incarnate unspecified spirits of the dead, forming a vast community of souls. Masks were used by secret societies for agricultural and funeral ceremonies. Masked dancers wore extremely elaborate costumes (sometimes ornamented with mirrors) and often their feet and hands were covered. The function of this unusual, very expressive mask is unknown.

Material:  wood

Size:  H. 10”, W. 8”, D. 5 ½”

Price: $160 + $18 (S&H)                                 [#G1I8M296]