IGALA,NIGERIA - Lot 12

IGALA,NIGERIA Helm mask with four black and white heads, arranged at each cardinal corner, their faces pressed together. Each head features a vigorous expression, with open mouth, half-closed almond-shaped eyes and sculpted scarification marks in relief. Two circular crests, in the shape of a solar motif, sit atop the head. Wood with brown patina, white pigments, old wear marks. Height 60 cm. Height with base: 78.5 cm. Provenance: former Galerie d'Art Africain, Paris, 1984-1994. Igala heaumes masks, such as this one, play a central role in rituals honoring ancestors and protective spirits. Their iconography, combining human figures and cosmic motifs such as solar crests, reflects the spiritual beliefs and importance of social order in Igala communities. Used in royal and funeral ceremonies, these masks bear witness to a rich artistic know-how and a deep attachment to spiritual traditions.