African Igbo Carved Mma Ji Mask, 20th Century

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Notable Private Collections - Session 1

By Ahlers & Ogletree

Jun 25, 2016 - Jun 26, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-06-25 11:00:00 2016-06-26 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Notable Private Collections - Session 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/ahlers-ogletree/notable-private-collections---session-1-1546
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• Lot Description
  Igbo (Afikpo) people, African (Nigeria), 20th century. Hand carved and polychromed wood tribal mask or mma ji (roughly translated to 'knife yam') with traditional knife or machete form accent at top above four protruding tapered pegs running down front of face, pierced slit eyes and panels on face in white and black, wrapped grass coils surrounding face. Unmarked. Overall approximate height 15.25", width 5.3", depth 5.6". Provenance: From the Private Collection of Dr. & Mrs. Calvin Wayne McLarin, Atlanta, Georgia. Note: This facial mask is often utilized in okumkpa performances in the Igbo town of Afikpo and surrounding villages in southeastern Nigeria. Okumkpa performances typically occur after the Dry Season Festival and involve a large number of actors, dancers singers and other performers (typically men and boys). More often than not, the performances comment on community practice including a satirical or critical look at their own culture. Masks like this one are part of the symbolic transformation of each performer into a mma or spirit.

  Condition

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