47 - EPA HELMET MASK SURMOUNTED BY A MOTHER FIGURE - Ekiti Region, Nigeria - Yoruba

EPA HELMET MASK SURMOUNTED BY A MOTHER FIGURE - Ekiti Region, Nigeria - Yoruba First half of the 20th century. Wood, with a crusty, earthy-looking patina over the entire piece; traces of pigments. Dimensions: 94 cm. Epa helmet mask consisting of a large head surmounted by a group of figures. Epa masks refer to a group of masks originating from the northeastern part of Yoruba country. The wearers of these masks perform acrobatic dances that evoke social commitments and major cultural events, idealized in the representations of their imposing structure. This type consists of several elements: the highly elaborate upper part, which is worn on the head (it is a helmet mask), and the lower part, which constitutes the costume, made of palm leaves, raffia, and fabric. The part of the mask located above the large round head is finely carved and can reach up to 1.50 m in height. When the wearer places the helmet-mask on his head, he can adjust it perfectly to see through the opening of the mouth. The remarkable feat of this carving, located in the upper part of the mask, lies in the fact that it was carved from a single block of wood. The upper part features a figure of the protective Mother Goddess (Iyá) surrounded by her children and servants, symbolizing fertility and the continuity of the community. These masks are preserved by clan chiefs or village leaders. They are kept in huts, out of public view. Condition: Natural erosion and age-related cracks in the wood. Research and documentation: Coryse Mwape – Art historian specializing in ancient African art. Internal ref.: 322