Ogoni Wood Colonial Mask Movable Jaw Cross River Nigeria MATTER COLLECTION

The Ogoni people, residing along Nigeria's Atlantic coast, have cultivated a unique artistic tradition centered around intricately carved masks. These masks feature bold, abstract designs with geometric shapes, angular features, and intricate patterns, typically carved from wood and embellished with materials like beads, shells, or feathers, each carrying symbolic meanings reflective of Ogoni cultural values and spiritual beliefs. Employed in various ceremonial contexts, these masks represent ancestral spirits or deities, serving as conduits to communicate with the spiritual realm. During festivals and rituals, designated masqueraders don these masks after specific rituals, engaging in vibrant performances involving dance, music, and theatrical elements, fostering entertainment, education, and cultural preservation while honoring the spirit world. Despite their unique style, Ogoni art also exhibits influences from neighboring ethnic groups, like the Igbo, Ibibio, and Ijo, showcasing a dynamic and diverse artistic landscape shaped by cultural exchange in Nigeria's Niger Delta River and Cross River regions.

Jaw is movable, but held together with fragile raffia. Some missing reed"teeth"

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.