Early 20th C. Nigerian Ekoi Hide Janiform Headdress

Lot 269

About Seller

686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States

Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more

Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$25
$300	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$20,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000
$200,000	$20,000

About Auction

Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages by Artemis Gallery

Live

Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 16, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-16 10:00:00 2021-09-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-7473 Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (364)

Lot Description

West Africa, Nigeria, Lower Cross River region, Ekoi (Ejagham) peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fascinating janiform headdress with a pair of mirrored faces that closely resemble human visages. The faces are formed by pinning a large swath of antelope hide across a wooden mold and tightly pinning the hide to emulate the facial structure before drying in place. This headpiece features a pair of mirrored faces with full lips and protruding brows above a mutual neck that rests on a woven basketry base. Headdresses like this were secured to the top of larger basketry helmets and worn atop - rather than over - the head. Only certain members of the Ekoi/Ejagham peoples who had completed impressive feats of bravery or strength were allowed to don these headdresses. Warm brown patina covers all surfaces of this intriguing composition. Size: 7.75" W x 12.75" H (19.7 cm x 32.4 cm); 13.875" H (35.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1979.206.266 (with one face) and 1979.206.299 (for janiform).

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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.

#157756

Condition

Separation of hide from some basketry loops on base. Fissures and chips to areas of hide, with nicks and inactive insect wear to wooden area atop head, and darkening to hide color. Great coloration throughout and form is nicely preserved.
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 %