Ejagham Headcrest, Cross River Region, Nigeria

covered in Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) hide.

Merton D. Simpson, New York, 1970s or earlier
Allan Stone, New York, acquired from the above

Very good condition for an object of this age, material, and rare type. Hide covering is dry and fragile, with cracks and flaking. Holes to hide including an area of the proper right side of the neck. Some losses in pegs of lower part of coiffure. Original basketry attachment and ropes are dry and fragile. Some repaired cracks to hide covering, including to chin. Back coiffure element is reglued. Fine layered aged surface with remains of red-brown and black pigment.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In her discussion of the iconographically related headcrest in the Musée Barbier-Mueller in Geneva, Boullier (in Mattet 2007: 174) notes: "A feature of the art of the Cross River region is the use of the technique - unique in Africa - of covering a sculpted wooden armature with animal skin, mainly for head crests and helmet masks. The tanned pelt, when stretched over the wood, imitates the grain, brilliance and volume of human flesh and renders these works surprisingly lifelike. The kaolin or light metal eye whites and dark wood pupils enhance this effect. [...] The monumental hairstyle is composed of five coiled plaits or braids, unusually large in African statuary and masterful in the perfection and symmetry of their coils. Ethnographic accounts report that this hairstyle was worn by young women during initiation and the period of reclusion prior to marriage."

The impressive Ejagham Headcrest from the Allan Stone Collection is distinguished by its archaic, highly naturalistic style and the spectacular coiffure of great curling braids. Only a handful of works of comparable quality and age are known, including: one in the Tropen Museum, Amsterdam (inv. no. "5133-62"); a second in the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (inv. no. 71.1948.8.2 D", Monti 1964: 1377); and a third in The Cleveland Museum of Art (inv. no. "1990.23", Petridis 2003: 88). Lifelike, severe and almost hypnotic in its expression, the Allan Stone Ejagham Headcrest is the most major example of its kind to remain in private hands.