Ejagham Ekoi Janus Head Leather Nigeria African Art 33 Inch

Description

Title
Ejagham Ekoi Janus Head Leather Nigeria African Art 33 Inch
Type of Object
headcrest, Mask
Country of Origin
Nigeria, Cameroon (Cross River)
People
Ejagham (Ekoi)
Materials
Wood, pigment, mirror
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
33
Width (in)
18
Depth (in)
22
Other Dimensions
Height: 5.25-7 Inches
Width: 2.5-4 Inches
Overall Condition
Fair to good. Most ofour pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
some minor scratches, some chips.
Provenance:
From the collection of Howard Gelb, St. Paul, MN collector of African Art, who was also a businessman, lawyer, and philanthreopist. Mr. Gelb died in 2015, at the age of 96.
Additional Information:
A wonderful Janus Head Crest known as Ngbe worn by members of Leopard Society among the  Ejagham (also known as Ekoi) from Nigeria Nigeria.
A number of different groups living within close proximity to the Cross River share language, political and religious structures which influences their arts. Though generally ruled by a local elder Cross River societies depend to a great extent upon a number of men’s secret societies to regulate the community and to instruct and initiate men into various levels of their organization. The Ejagham identified as the Ekoi in the past have a men’s secret society called Ngbe, whose members are known for wearing large skin covered masks worn over costumes covering the body. Each Ngbe chapter would have a lodge within which a range of ritual equipment was kept including masks. Ngbe membership was originally identified with a warrior’s society on the Cameroon side of the Cross River region, however today Ngbe members are engaged in social control and political activities. Ngbe members use ritual equipment to initiate new members and celebrates their lives during funerals. Crest masks such as this one were worn on the top of the head attached to a basketry cap.
See similar head crests in Marcilene K. Wittmer and William Arnett. Three Rivers of Nigeria . Art of the Lower Niger, Cross and Benue. From the Collection of William and Robert Arnett. The high Museum of Art. Atlanta. Georgia. 1978, Fig. 184, p. 78
**111362**
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