Title Ibibio Headcrest Mask Nigeria African Art Collection
Type of Object Mask
Country of Origin Niger River Delta
People Ibibio, see also Igbo
Materials Wood, pigment
Approximate Age Mid 20th Century
Height (in) 22
Width (in) 6
Depth (in) 6
Other Dimensions Height: 22 Inches
Width: 6 Inches
Depth: 6 Inches
Overall Condition Good. Most of our 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 Repaired arm
Additional Information: This mask is from the Ibibio people who live in the
area between the Niger Delta and the Cross River. In this region a number of
culturally and linguistically related peoples share mask styles often drawing
upon one another for imagery and perhaps even carvers who have some degree of
mobility. The Ibibio live in a largely dense tropical forested area in small
village groupings where they exercise social control through the activities of
male secret society known as Ekpo. This secret society in based upon a cult of
ancestors who advise, direct, and guide the Ibibio in all facets of their
lives. Such masks danced by the exclusively male Ekpo Society are known as
Idiok, Ifiok is said to be an ugly mask that represents the dead, who are seen
as wandering spirits that are potentially evil and have dark powers. Masks with
deformed features often play upon the idea of an anti-aesthetic as they depict
physical deformities or the effects of disease characterizing evil or
malevolent spirits. It is a demanding exercise to identify all Ibibio masks as
to their forms and functions for they are often subject to many sculptural
influences and a number of their cult, ritual activities and masks are drawn
from their larger neighbors the Igbo or the smaller groups including the Anang
and the Oron Ibibio.
From the Collection of Robert Pearson, Denver, Colorado
Bob Pearson began collecting African art later in his life. He was a n
engineer, inveterate climber, and long-time collector of books and
paintings. Spurred by the Douglas Society at the Denver Museum of Art, and his
friendship with noted collector George Heggarty, he began building an enormous,
eclectic collection. His African art library grew to several hundred books. He
loved textiles and “material culture”-things which had domestic use, like
spoons, cups, stools, and chairs, as well as masks and carvings. His
collection included items from more than thirty African countries, and his fine
eye gave him pieces ranging from a golddust scale to huge Dogon figural
ladders. Africa Direct is honored to have been chosen to sell them.
129360**
All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2021
Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more
than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the
company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with
their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame
award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than
125,000 in charity auctions.
Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to
make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!
Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out
the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.
Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return
an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know
you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase
price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made
through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with
your credit card, we'll refund the credit card.
Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple
items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items,
whichever comes first--then start another order.
When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request
and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card.
U.S. Shipping: Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which
is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special
packing materials used is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping
charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these
reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of
postage. .
International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to
customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included
in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your
country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail,
and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the
weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or
shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check
with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs
will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the
delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not
confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark
merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and
International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter
Go to Africa Direct Store