Máscara de danza (1) - Madera - Igbo - Nigeria

This beautiful mask with a white patinated face carrying a glassed box is an Agbogho -Mmuo mask from the Northern part of Igboland in South Eastern Nigeria.
Agbogho- Mmuo means a maiden spirit,, this mask is danced in the dry season in annual performances, though the masks are worn by men they are meant to honour the womenfolk, the Maskerade imitates the character of adolescent girls with mincing dance steps and elegant movements exaggerating the maidens beauty and mannerisms.
Different varieties of these masks are carved with the classical more known one’s being the crested designs, this one however has the classical Agbogho-Mmuo face with the joint arched , slanted eyes and a grinning mouth, but it has a glassed receptacle patinated with green, red and black pigments.
Though not of a great age the mask looks original and most likely used.
It was acquired from a French collection.