An Ibibio Headdress Lot n° 37

Headpiece Ibibio, Nigeria Ohne Sockel / without base Wood. H 44,5 cm. Provenance: Helmut (1931-2021) and Marianne Zimmer, Zurich. The Ibibio live in the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria. The subgroups of the ethnic group (essentially the Ibibio proper, the Annang, Enyong, Eket, Andoni-Ibeno, Efik, and Oron) sometimes blend seamlessly with the neighboring Ogoni, Igbo, and Ekoi. Because of the myriad local customs and the diverse mask designs, it is difficult to assign objects from this area. Presumably, this is a headdress from the fund of the widespread ekpo association, which plays a central role in political and legal occasions as well as in religious ceremonies. Further reading: Wittmer, Marcilene K. / Arnett, William (1978). Three Rivers of Nigeria. Atlanta: The High Museum of Art. CHF 400 / 800 EUR 400 / 800