Okorossia Mask
Arts of Africa
CULTURE
Igbo
MEDIUM
Wood, pigment
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
- Possible place made: Abia State, Nigeria
- Possible place made: Imo State, Nigeria
DATES
ca. early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
25 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 5 in. (64.8 x 14 x 12.7 cm)
Base: 5 x 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (12.7 x 11.4 x 14 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
2010.22.3
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the Coltrera Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Face mask surmounted by a janus-faced sculpture on a column of four circular, double trapezoid forms, on a metal stand that runs through a hole below the chin of the lower face. Holes for raffia attachment are on either side of the lower face. The lower face, predominantly in white pigment, has a prognathic jaw and a mouth in a bowtie form, containing two rows of teeth. An arrow-shaped nose projects below a brow and hairline composed through two rows of half-heart forms, in black pigment. Slits for viewing are carved into raised, slightly drooping eyes. The upper, frontal face is ovoid in form, colored with white pigment, and is framed by a black coiffure and two red attenuated wings, with holes for further attachments. The face has a diamond-shaped mouth, a curved, projecting nose and coffee-bean style, nearly closed eyes in rounded depressions. The reverse face is treated similarly, but covered in black pigment. A conical form, carved separately, is attached below the chin of the upper front and back faces.
Condition: good. Loss to right eyelid of lower face. Pigment fading/loss throughout.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Igbo. Okorossia Mask, ca. early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 25 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 5 in. (64.8 x 14 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Coltrera Collection, 2010.22.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.22.3_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 2010.22.3_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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