Context (CMS Context)
According to the Nigerian delegation who visited the museum on 10/08/2013 this mask is of the Igbo group, not the Ibibio group as suggested by the previous owner. Mask is marked in interior [in white ink]: '76'. Written on the interior [in black ink]: 'Ibibio'.
Event Date 4/6/2014
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).
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Wooden mask, with few traces of white pigment, with black features and a central projection for hairstyle that forms a diamond shape on top. Lips and inner ears show remnants of red pigment.Insect damage on left side of chin. 4 holes above and below the ears, through the top two a metal wire was strung for display purposes. Now removed. Condition: Good.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Wooden mask with cut-out eyes, protruding ears and a prominent high hairstyle. Eyebrows and eyelashes added with black pigment. Lips and inner ears show remnants of red pigment. Circular hole above and below both ears.
Event Date 22/9/2021
Author: Louise Puckett