Lot 65
  • 65

Exceptionnel masque-casque , Igbo, Nigeria

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 EUR
bidding is closed

Description

  • Igbo
  • Exceptionnel masque-casque
  • bois et pigments
  • haut. 36 cm
  • 14 in

Provenance

Présent dans une collection française depuis trente ans

Condition

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. The left arm of the child is broken.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Chevauchant la coiffe élaborée, jambes et bras déployés et agrippant de chaque main un réceptacle, l'enfant se dresse comme pour imposer au loin son regard, le visage tout en rondeurs faisant contrepoint à celui – majestueux – de la mère. Selon Herbert Cole (1984), ce masque-casque monoxyle, nommé eze nnwanye, « reine des masques », incarne le caractère maternel d'une famille de masques. Si la mascarade okperegede est orchestrée par de nombreuses communautés Igbo, ce type en particulier serait propre au groupe Izzi, vivant au nord-est du pays Igbo.

La dignité de la « reine des masques », épouse du légendaire guerrier Azufu, est remarquablement signifiée par le visage idéalisé : dictée par la nervure médiane s'étirant jusqu'à l'arête nasale, la tension des courbes répond à l'extrême finesse des traits - lèvres tendues, yeux fendus aux paupières étroites, nez légèrement busqué aux ailes marquées. S'ajoute enfin l'attention accordée à la parure (coiffe complexe, motifs scarifiés), que magnifie la blancheur des visages.

cf. Butor, Boyer et Morin (2005 : 106) pour un exemplaire très comparable dans les collections du musée Barbier-Mueller (inv. n° 1014-101).

An exceptional Igbo helmet-mask, Nigeria

Overlapping the elaborate head-dress, with his legs and arms out-stretched and holding a vessel in each hand, the child draws himself up and looks into the distance, his rounded face forms a counterpoint to the majestic appearance of the mother. According to Herbert Cole (1984), this eze nmwanye helmet mask, 'the Queen of masks', represents the maternal character of a family of maks. Although the okperegede masquerade is carried out by several Igbo communities, this type of mask is specific to the Izzi group, who live in the north-east of the Igbo country.

The dignity of the 'Queen of masks', wife of the legendary warrior Azufu, is evident in the idealised face: the central ridge which reaches the end of the nose, the taut curves which compliment the delicacy of the features: parted lips, slightly open eyelids, and a lightly hooked nose with pronounced flaring of the nostrils. Finally, there is the great attention which has been paid to the ornamentation (complex head-dress, design of the scarification marks), which magnifies the whiteness of the face.

cf. Butor, Boyer and Morin (2005: 106) for a comparable example in the collection of the Barbier-Mueller museum (inv. no. 1014-101).