Marionette: Head

Unknown

19th–20th century · Wood, leather, metal · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Inspiration for this original hybrid creation derives from the convergence of two distinct masquerade traditions through trade on the Cross River. The first of these, with its protruding brow and planar face, is the Ogbom dance crest dedicated to Àlà (the Igbo earth goddess). The second, performed by members of the powerful Ekpe society, is characterized by a taut, skin-covered surface into which pin-like teeth are added.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–20th century

Medium

Wood, leather, metal

Culture

Ibibio peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Eliot Elisofon, 1956