Nigeria

Early 20th c

20 1/2 inches high x 6 1/2 inches wide

Ex: Santa Fe, NM collection

Sold

Urhobo masks are from the NW region of the Niger Delta.  This female mask was danced during festivals honoring water spirits known as edjorame and more important masquerades devoted to Ohworu, the spirit of deep waters and forests.  The mask is decorated with an ochre pigment, an arched superstructure, horn-like extensions and the forehead is accented with linear black raised scarification.