IDNO

T.169995.GIJ

Description

Close-up view of a large Nigerian three-headed mask on display in an exhibition.

The figure is now in the care of MAA, reference Z 27192, and described as: "Mask consisting of two planks of wood joined together and painted black, white and brown, with three carved wooden heads attached to them. Flanking the larger, central head, are two long, thin masks with tall crests, the facial is painted white with black lines round the eyes and down the nose, and black lip and cheeks; the edges of the n-shaped crest are decorated with alternate brown and white triangles. The central face is similar to the other two but larger and with openings round the eyes, it is surmounted by another carved face painted black and white." [Description from object record Z 27192, PB 25/08/2023]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeastern Nigeria; Abiriba

Cultural Affliation

Ibo; Igbo; Ibibio

Named Person

Photographer

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

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1980 to 1989

Collection Name

Jones Collection

Source

Format

Colour Transparency

Primary Documentation

Other Information

T.169937.GIJ - T.170148.GIJ were located together in a Agfa transparency box, now numbered C756/.

MAA Exhibition: The mask is on display in the Nigeria case and captioned: "Three-headed mask. This mask was danced by men to honour victorious warriors, returning from battle clutching severed heads and with palm fronds in their mouths. It was donated to the Museum in 1912 by the Head Porter of Queen's College, who said it had been left behind by a student". [PB 25/08/2023]