- 16
Masque, Eket, Nigeria
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 EUR
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Description
- Eket
- Masque
- Wood
- diam. 32 cm
- 12 2/3 in
Provenance
Collection Johan Henau, Anvers
Collection privée
Collection privée
Literature
Kerchache, Paudrat & Stéphan, L'art africain, 1988, p. 404, n°478
Condition
Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Multi-layered encrusted patina with losses of material to the front and rear of the mask.
"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."
"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
Dès 1880, "les missionnaires s'établissent à Qua-Iboe et s'opposent à toute culture traditionnelle, en particulier à la production des masques ekpo [...] brûlant les sanctuaires et les œuvres d'art" (Neyt, 1979, p. 14). Les masques faciaux (distincts des masques ronds miniatures de facture plus récente) sont par conséquent rares, et essentiellement conservés dans des musées européens (cf. Soldan, 1986, n°17 pour celui conservé au Linden Museum de Stuttgart).
Ce masque facial de forme lunaire intervenait dans le cadre de la société ekpo (fondée sur le culte des ancêtres) lors de la fête des ignames et des cérémonies funéraires. Il se distingue par la très grande sensibilité du visage émergeant du cadre qui l'auréole, dont la prégnance est accentuée par la patine sombre, croûteuse, également présente au revers. Stylistiquement, il se rattache aux expressions les plus modernistes de l'ancienne statuaire Eket notamment des cimiers ogbom (cf. Sotheby's, New York, 16 mai 2013, n°98).
Ce masque facial de forme lunaire intervenait dans le cadre de la société ekpo (fondée sur le culte des ancêtres) lors de la fête des ignames et des cérémonies funéraires. Il se distingue par la très grande sensibilité du visage émergeant du cadre qui l'auréole, dont la prégnance est accentuée par la patine sombre, croûteuse, également présente au revers. Stylistiquement, il se rattache aux expressions les plus modernistes de l'ancienne statuaire Eket notamment des cimiers ogbom (cf. Sotheby's, New York, 16 mai 2013, n°98).