Crest Mask (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

19th–20th century
Ejagham
wood, animal hide, cane, nails, paint, white clay
Nigeria
Overall: 14 × 6 × 7 in. (35.56 × 15.24 × 17.78 cm)
83.94
For ceremonial occasions, members of men’s and women’s associations of the Ejagham people of southeastern Nigeria wear crest masks, which sit on the top of the head. These distinctive crests are made by stretching fresh hide over a carved wooden form. As the hide dries, it conforms to the shape of the wood beneath.
Gift of Robert and Nancy Nooter
Spirit of the Motherland. September 1994. May 2000.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

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