African Tribal Art

Edo Masquerade Mask

Culture: Edo (Bini)
Origin: Nigeria
Period: Early to mid 20th century
Object: Mask
Materials: Wood
Dimensions: 24.1 cm high × 14.2 cm wide
Catalogue: TRB-165

A hand-carved wooden mask made by the Edo (Bini) peoples of southern and mid-western Nigeria, descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire. It has a pronounced forehead above a stylised face, surmounted by a large coiffure. A mask of this type would have been worn in the Nkporo Ifugo masquerade with a colourful and elaborate costume.

Provenance

Ex Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois; acquired prior to 1970.

Acquired

Artemis Fine Arts · 2025