Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria old ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ elephant mask

This mask type of the Ibo-Izzi, a subgroup of the Ibo in Nigeria, is actually a dance crest. The elephant mask ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ is worn horizontally on top of the head; a soft ring of woven plant fibres serves as padding. Formally, the ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ is a composite mask derived from different animals: the protruding tusks of an elephant are combined with the open mouth of a hippopotamus and parts of a warthog. The projection on the forehead represents the trunk of the elephant. The ‘Ogbodo Enyi’ is regarded as a friend of the village: a good-natured masked being that protects the community. Made of light-coloured wood, dyed white, black and earth red/brown. A powerful, expressive mask with a rich meaning, in which several animals merge into a single protective being. A strongly sculptural piece for lovers of African art, and a remarkable accent in an eclectic or modernist interior. Dimensions: 31 cm high, 59 cm wide, 29 cm deep. Material: light-coloured wood, dyed white, black and earth red/brown; ring of woven plant fibres. Period: around 1920, possibly older. Origin: Ibo-Izzi, Nigeria. Condition: please see the detail photos.