Mask
Unknown
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
26.3 × 19.3 × 10.2 cm (10 3/4 × 7 5/8 × 4 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
17486
Art Historical Context
This striking wooden mask, crafted by the Ibibio of southeastern Nigeria, exemplifies the rich tradition of African masquerade arts. Measuring 26.3 × 19.3 × 10.2 cm, it hails from the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts Africa collection. The Ibibio, an ethnic group known for their vibrant cultural practices, created such masks as vital elements in communal rituals, often linked to secret societies and spiritual ceremonies. Carved from wood—a medium prized for its workability and symbolic connection to nature—the mask showcases masterful sculptural techniques. Artisans typically hollowed the wood...