Well preserved helmet / Egungun / Yoruba - Nigeria / mid to late 19th century

Well preserved helmet /mask from the Egungun / Yoruba - Nigeria (wood); mid to late 19th century; the mask was worn in common with a long costume on the head; the purpose of the ceremonial dances is that the ancestor god "Egungun" establishes a connection with the concerned family; on the object were fixed small old pearl chains and on the lower side are still remains of old textiles available; the mask was allegedly 2008 at ARTE PRIMITIVO auctioned and provided by the Rose Howard Gallery; beautiful patina; traces of use according to age; measurement: ca. 20 x 26 x 28 cm