Idoma Igbo Nigeria Mask Lightwood

Description

I am offering a mask for sale in the style of the
Idoma people of Nigeria
, made of
light wood
.
The mask is
polychrome
, covered with a red dye and white kaolin clay.
Size parameters
: height - 26 cm, width - 20 cm.
The Idoma people live in southeastern Nigeria, in the area between the Niger, Benue and Cross rivers. To the north of their territory, the
Ibo tribe (also known as Igbo)
is adjacent, which influenced the interpenetration of both cultures and the mutual influences visible in the style of the masks made.
The characteristic features
of the mask, reflecting typical style elements, are:
perfectly symmetrical arrangement of the face, enhanced division in the form of a convex line above the nose and even coverage of the surface with two colors: red and white.
The way in which this mask is presented is distinguished by a strongly hiked lower lip and a very rarely found in these images - a convex element below the mouth, the execution of which suggests the display of a
strongly stylized beard
. There are also vertical marks on the cheeks denoting a simple form of
scarification