CROCODILE HELMET MASK - Nigeria - Ijo

CROCODILE HELMET MASK - Nigeria - Ijo First half of the 20th century. Wood with a dark, crusty patina; woven raffia. Dimensions: 115 x 27 cm. These masks are worn horizontally above the dancer’s head; the reptile’s back is carved with repeated wave-like patterns, imitating the crocodile’s rough skin and armor. The animal is mounted on a central dome made of woven fibers. For the Ijo, waterways are inhabited by powerful water spirits called Oru. These crests are displayed during major seas

Category

Sculptures

Location

Bruxelles

Dimensions

115 × 27 cm