20th C. Colonial African Igbo Wood Headdress Sculpture

About Auction

Live

Fine Antiquities | Ethnographica | Fine Art

By Artemis Gallery

May 19, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-05-19 10:00:00 2022-05-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities | Ethnographica | Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographica-fine-art-9350
Featuring a very special collection of Fine Art from the Hollywood Hills, including Picasso & Rookwood ceramics! Also included are many fine examples of classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (342)

• Lot Description
  West Africa, Nigeria, Igbo people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A massive sculptural wooden mask and headdress that depicts traditional Igbo culture with the overshadowing figure of a colonist in the center. Forming the base is a large cylindrical helmet cap with strap piercings for the wearer. At the center is a tall, white European man with a pith type of hat, flanked by large hornbill birds, their beaks dramatically arching downward. Perched around the man are figures including a mother nursing her child, a woman carrying a bundle with cotton straps, a man holding a clock, a woman with a rooster attached to her waist, and some abstract demon or spirit figures. White visages that probably represent Amadioha or other masks are set into the helmet below the figures. Although enormous, the wood is somewhat lightweight and could be balanced on a performer's head for a short duration during the masquerade or kept on display in a shrine to direct prayers. Size: 18" Diameter x 34" H (45.7 cm x 86.4 cm)
  
  These masks traditionally are used to represent important roles in the community and serve as entertaining artistic expression and cultural commentary. The main figure wearing a pith helmet hat is a telling sign of colonialism in Nigeria.
  
  For a similar example please see the British Museum’s website, museum number: Af1954,23.522.
  
  Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #170527

  Condition

  Losses due to old inactive insect activity and bore holes on the central base and neck area of main figure. Other losses to figures. Several are removable and loosely attached via pegs or tenons. Old repairs with metal plates to bird heads and break lines on beaks and heads. Stable pressure fissure on central figure's hat. Earthen deposits, discoloration, and chipping to pigments. Nice preservation to figural details.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %