34 - JANUS HELMET MASK - Nigeria - Igbo

JANUS HELMET MASK - Nigeria - Igbo First half of the 20th century. Wood, dark patina, kaolin. Dimensions: 36 x 26 cm. Agbogho mmwo mask from the Mmwo male initiation society. Although worn by men during ceremonies, these masks embody feminine beauty standards, as evidenced by the facial scarifications and highly elaborate hairstyles. Here, two Janus-like female faces are depicted, each with different adornments at the temples and in the hair surrounding the top of the head. The faces are entirely white (kaolin), and the brow ridges are highlighted in black, as are the outlines of the eyes, ears, and mouth, which reveals the teeth. Condition: Restoration on one side, near the edge, between two holes, and a small chip at the top of the headdress. Research and documentation: Coryse Mwape – Art historian specializing in ancient African art. Internal ref.: 262