-40%
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]
RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]

RARE OLD OGONI ELU forehead mask HINGED JAW Nigeria Authentic [Boston Primitive]

$ 84.48

Availability: 86 in stock
  • Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
  • Modified Item: No
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Condition: Hard-used, scuffed, minor erosion around hinged jaw
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Nigeria
  • Culture: African

    Description

    I M
    UST SELL MY ENTIRE 45+ YEAR COLLECTION OF AFRICAN MASKS!
    Though diminutive, this Ogoni mask from Nigeria shows a great deal of fierceness. Perfectly intact including, I believe, the original raffia "hinges", this mask has seen a lot of use. It is definitely old. This type of Ogoni mask is also known as a "talking mask" because, perched atop the masquerader's head over a billowing raffia skirt, the articulated jaw claps open and shut while he performs an incredibly
    strenuous
    and acrobatic dance (there are some on YouTube). It is thick-walled as it should be and, I would say, is both typical and exceptional. My records and memory fail me but I think this came from an Artemis Gallery auction. You'd be hard pressed to find
    a better example. Many Ogoni masks on eBay are new and "antiqued". These Elu masks are really under-represented in public exhibits, even the Met's
    Rockefeller
    galleries. As I dissolve my collection, this is a good
    opportunity
    to acquire a fine example. The last photo shows the tied raffia or cord "hinges" that allow jaw movement. There is minor wear and tear to the wood as would be expected. It is only 7 3/8" tall including the crest! U.S. buyers please. [Boston Primitive]