Description (Physical description)
Egbo mask.
[different hand] This is made of wood and represents a human face with the features in a squashed heart shape. The eyes are large and a peg of darker wood has been driven in a hole to represent the pupil - the actual eye slit is a narrow line at the base of the eye. The nose is long and straight, almost flush with the surface, and the nostrils are indicated by wing shapes at its base. The lips are full and deep. The hair (or helmet?) of the mask is indicated by deep cross hatching typical of Benin carving. Below the hair line a number of darker wood squares have been inset into the face. A small carved human figure stands at the top of the head wearing the Benin-type skirt.

Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Written on rear of mask in pencil: 'Benin'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Written on rear of mask in pencil: '300'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
1st Thomas Catalogue notes numbers 1-249 as "Bini (Benin City)". [R.Hand 31/5/2001]

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: Eleanor Wilkinson

Description (Physical description)
Tabitha Cotterill: 'Crack from edge of chin and another from top edge of head. Two screws connected by a length of wire inserted at back, perhaps for hanging the object'.
Event Date 8/6/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Numbered '82' in the Thomas Collection, 1st Catalogue.
Event Date 15/12/2016
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Context (Amendments / updates)
This mask is of a very similar style to the staffs and figures which are grouped as Thomas numbers 300-338. Many of Thomas' objects have the catalogue number written on them in pencil, so it may be that the 300 refers to its number in the 1st Catalogue and it is in fact part of this group. The entry for 300 reads: 'Egugu: up and down in town; get dashes; once a year near end of wet season.'
The accession number marked on the mask is, however, linked to Thomas number 82 (1st Catalogue), which is also listed as a mask.

Event Date 1/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

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

Event Date 7/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Carved wooden face mask with darker pieces of wood inset as pupils and scarification marks, as well as a small figure standing on top. The face is round with strongly carved features, eyes inset with darker wood and with eye slits cut below. There are six rectangular pieces of inset wood along the forehead, presumably indicating scarification marks. The top of the head is carved as a cap with deeply incised vertical and horizontal lines. The figure on top has similar facial features and scarification marks, and has the hands by the side of the torso, thumbs pointing upwards. There are a few chips of wood missing and a wide split in both the top and bottom of the rear of the mask with radiating cracks. There are two screws in the rear of the mask with a wire for hanging strung between them. There are also some additional, mechanically drilled holes. Some signs of insect debris.
Event Date 7/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card: '12090 | S. NIGERIA / EDO | BINI / 82. / Egbo mask'
In second hand: 'This is made of wood and represents a human face with the features in a squashed heart shape. The eyes are large and a peg of darker wood has been driven in a hole to represent the pupil - The actual eye slit is a narrow line at the base of the eye. The nose is long and straight, almost flush with the surface, and the nostrils are indicated by wing shapes at its base. The lips are full and deep. The hair (or helmet?) of the mask is indicated by a deep cross hatching typical of Benin carving. Below the hair line, a number of darker wood squares have been inset into the face. A small carved human figure stands at the top of the head wearing the Benin-type skirt.'
Pencil sketch below description.
Event Date 7/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Display)
Screws and wire in rear presumably indicate display history, although details of this are not currently known.
Event Date 7/11/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Egbo. Carved wooden face mask with a small figure standing on top. The face is round with strongly carved features, pupils inset with darker wood and eye slits cut below. There are six rectangular pieces of inset darker wood along the forehead, possibly indicating scarification marks. The top of the head is carved as a cap with deeply incised vertical and horizontal lines. The figure present on top of the head has similar facial features and scarification marks, and has their hands by the side of the torso, thumbs pointing upwards. Damaged.
Event Date 17/9/2021
Author: Jane Pettitt