IDNO

P.71587.GIJ

Description

An unfinished mask of a Policeman modelled by a man sitting down. The head mask is carved and clearly shows the sections or defined areas of the mask. The face is bordered by an oval area and within this area are arched brows, slit eyes, long nose, mouth and rounded ears. The top of the mask is decorated with a scalloped border with a circular “hat’ on top. The model is wearing a piece of cloth. In the background is another unfinished mask with horns, pointed projections and an animal on top. In the background are mud and thatch houses.

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.71504.GIJ to P.71662.GIJ were kept in box 4, now numbered C301/.
P.71587.GIJ to P.71595.GIJ were found wrapped in paper, now numbered C301/6/.

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., 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 19/11/2007]