A WOOD SHOULDER 'SUKWAVA' MASK

A WOOD SHOULDER 'SUKWAVA' MASK
A WOOD SHOULDER 'SUKWAVA' MASK
Nigeria, Mumuye

137 cm high

Provenance: Vittorio Bellini (1936-2009) collection.

This monumental mask was originally used in the rituals that preceded the beginning of the battle, and due to its size and weight it had to be carried by more men who hid their bodies under raffia costumes. Its formal features are the long neck, in this case adorned with a movable collar with heads, on which head is placed in smaller proportion, with large tubular eyes, wide ears and imposing crest.