Boki / Ejagham Artist

Anthropomorphic Headdress Mask

Cross River Region, Nigeria

Wood, hide, plant fiber, metal, hair, pigments

Height 9 in. (22.8 cm)

Provenance

Max Granick Collection (1906 - 1988), New York

Sotheby’s, New York, Important Tribal Art, 15 November 1988, Lot 62

American Private Collection

This exceptional anthropomorphic headdress by an unknown Boki or Ejagham artist is a striking example of the signature naturalistic yet sublime style of headdress masks found in the entire region of the Cross River.  Constructed of a wood head covered with animal hide and human hair, this headdress mask is attributed to the former practice of head hunting, when the victor would tie the victim’s head on top of their head and dance in victory. This work embodies the commitment of the artist to carve a substitute as realistically as possible, not only with naturalistic living features, but with great emotional tension as well. 

For similar examples, see:

Linden-Museum Stuttgart, Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde (Inv. no. 45 455 and no. 59 346);

Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum für Völkerkunde, Cologne, Germany (Inv. no. 48853)