Description (Labels & Markings)
Written in pencil on the inside: '2661'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Auction / Sale)
Purchased using money from Prof. A.A. Bevan’s subscription to the Museum’s Accessions Fund.
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Field collection)
Collected by Northcote W. Thomas in Edo State, Fuga(r) (now Anvianwu) town. The inhabitants belong to the Edo ethnic group, and also identify themselves further as Avianwu people. The language they speak is also referred to as Yekhee. See Blench, R. M., 1995. The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. The Nigerian Field, 60, pp.29.

Event Date
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (Related Documents)
Photo on reverse of catalogue card.

Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Mask (aure) This is made of wood which has been blackened with smoke to the point of getting burned - the surface is now like charcoal.

Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Related Documents)
See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria. [T.Cotterill]

Event Date 7/5/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Incised circular and line decoration, with 4 rectangular holes, 2 on each side of. Crack in rim. [R.Hand]
Event Date 8/6/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Janus head mask. Wood, which is very dark and appears to be burnt gives off a blackish substance ?soot. It is decorated with carved horizontal linear and circular designs. One circle has a leaf-like design inside it. The lines run across the whole length of the mask connecting the two faces. Deep square incisions of 2 x 1.25 cm on both sides probably indicate the eyes. On the base of the mask holes have been created to attach fibre covering to. The mask has a semicircular oval shape. Two holes are visible on each side of the mask near the top, perhaps for inserting feathers or raffia into. These are about 2.5 cm deep. This is an unusual object.
[Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. January 2013.]
Event Date 29/1/2013
Author: maa

Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020

Event Date 1/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Helmet crest mask or headdress shaped like an upturned boat, with incised decoration. Both sides have incised concentric circular patterns and parallel lines around the borders. There is the suggestion of a central crest which has broken off or been removed prior to collect - the edges are smooth. There are two drilled holes in the centre of each side, and at either end a rectangular hole presumably for further attachments. There are drilled holes around the bottom of the mask, clustered at one end where part of the bottom edge has been deliberately cut out. The whole mask may be stained with a dark pigment and is also heavily charred. Some signs of insect and fire damage and some cracking on the surface. Small amounts of blue pigment on one side, possibly from contact with another object.
Event Date 1/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Aure or helmet crest mask with central ridge and incised decoration. Decorated with concentric circles, spiral and lines; four rectangular hollows, presumably for the attachment of other elements; holes drilled around the base and on either side of the ridge, presumably for the attachment of a costume. Surface blackened from burning.
Event Date 28/9/2021
Author: Katrina Dring