IDNO

P.71409.GIJ

Description

A mau (ghost) face mask painted white with black paint consisting of slit eyes, elongated nose, mouth with teeth and ears. It is carved and painted in darker colour(s) in extended triangles underneath the eyes and on the forehead. In the centre of the forehead iand the near the teimples are etched markings. There are additional areas of darkly painted incised decorations on the chin and above the main panel on the forehead. The holes for attaching the mask are visible.

Object documentation photograph of a face mask.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; South Eastern Nigeria; Onitsha province; Nri Awka; Amobia village

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Nri Akwa

Named Person

Photographer

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939

Collection Name

Jones collection

Source

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.71400.GIJ to P.71498.GIJ were kept in box 5, now numbered C302/.
P.71408.GIJ to P.71414.GIJ were found wrapped in paper, now numbered C302/2/.

Context: In reference to this photograph Jones describes the markings as representations of these facial scars can easily be confused with the circles, crosses and other simple figures that were painted on peple and reproduced on their carvings. The most striking of these are the curved triangles stretched diagonally across the cheeks and foreheads of many of the Nri Akwa Ibo white faced masks.

Context: There was a broad division in many Lower Niger masquerades between ‘beautiful’ and ‘ugly’ characters. The former were thought of as beautiful, serene, and usually female beings, the latter as dangerous, aggressive and masculine. The beautiful were usually white-faced with black hair and gaily decorated headdresses rounded, angular. The number and variety of masks and masquerades [in the Nri/Awka Igbo area of Ontisha province] was considerable: they were referred to generically as Mau (Ghost) (Jones, 1984)

Bibliographical Reference: Jones, G.I. 1989 Ibo Art (Shire).

Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria (Cambridge University Press)

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 8/11/2007]