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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Face Mask
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Face Mask

Artist/Maker (Nigeria)
Datenot dated
Mediumwood, plant fiber and pigment
DimensionsOverall: 8 3/8 x 8 3/8 x 4 in. (21.3 x 21.3 x 10.2 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Alan Potamkin
Terms
    Object number2007.48.112
    DescriptionThe naturalistic style of this mask suggests that it comes from the Anang Ibibio and specifically the town of Ikot Ekpene, a famous carving center that supplied masks for a broad area and even for non-Ibibio patrons. The style associated with Ikot Ekpene features realistic facial features set in a serene face with smoothly curving surfaces. The eyes are characteristically down cast. The nose would have had a high bridge with distinctly carved nostrils. The lips would have been full and fleshy. In spite of the extreme age and wear on this mask, those qualities are very apparent here. This is an unusually sensual and naturalistic mask. It conveys a great sense of power and presence in spite of its simplicity. The dark coloration and white paint around the eyes suggest that this may have been a mask of the Ekpo society. It has none of the deformities and grotesqueness of Ekpo masks except for the parted lips revealing large teeth.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Cap Crest Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Helmet Crest Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Divination Head
    Bassa people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 250-550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Elu)
    Ogoni people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ghismonda with the Heart of Guiscardo
    Bacchiacca
    1520s
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jar
    Gran Coclé
    ca. 850-1000
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mask
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
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