Context (CMS Context)
Faintly visible in interior of mask [in white pencil] '88'. A metal wire was strung across the back of the mask, probably for display purposes. Removed as not original and possibly damaging to the object.
Event Date 23/6/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (CMS Context)
Publications by G.I. Jones: Jones, G. I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press.
Jones, G. I., 1989. Ibo Art. Shire Ethnography. Shire Publications.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (CMS Context)
Gwilyam Iwan 'G.I.' Jones (1904 - 1995) was a colonial officer in southern Nigeria from 1926 to 1946, before becoming Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus College. He undertook further periods of fieldwork and published major books on southern Nigeria that are still highly regarded for their sensitivity to historical complexity.
For more than twenty years, MAA has cared for Jones’ exceptionally rich photographic archive, which documents the great masquerade traditions and other aspects of the culture of the region. In February 2013 the Museum acquired part of Jones’ personal collection of artefacts, assembled over the decades he worked in Igboland, the Cross River and other regions. The group of masks, carvings and other works represent vital aspects of belief, history and art over the middle twentieth century.
The G.I. Jones collection of West African material was purchased on February 1 2014 from his widow Ursula Jones who generously allowed MAA to select from G.I’s personal collection in her home. Purchase funded partly through donations by Jesus College, John Goodliffe, Margaret Risbeth and the Wenbam Smith Family (as of June 3 2014).
Featured in Jones, G.I.,1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press. P. 176.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
'Fierce' rectangular wooden mask with seeds and raffia (?no longer attached) in the shape of a face with two smaller faces near the top. The hairstyle consists of semi-circular shapes. Remnants of white and red pigment. Several holes run along the edge of the mask. Abrasions on the nose and signs of insect damage, especially on the top of the mask. Condition: Fair.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Mask, rectangular wooden mask with cut-out eyes and two smaller carved faced below the hairline. Hairstyle consists of semicircular protrusions. Remnants of white and red pigment. Several holes run along the edge of the mask. Areas of substance, possibly adhesive, above eyes and hairline.
Event Date 22/9/2021
Author: Louise Puckett