A very old mask with a handle of a rare type, with closed eyelids and without the vertical scarifications that usually split the forehead of other more classic ancient Urhobo masks encountered more commonly, but here decorated with vertical and horizontal striations across its forehead. The closed eyes of this exceptional mask, selected and published in the first edition of Jacques Kerchache's Mazenod, certainly link it to a funerary cult or one dedicated to ancestors; ancestor worship being central to Urhobo culture and the practice of their beliefs. The Urhobo, who are close to the Ijaw from whom they borrowed certain beliefs, speak the Edo language and live in the western part of the Niger River delta. Urhobo, Nigeria Wood, pigment, significant oxidation due to the age of the wood, significant erosion visible on the back (wood-eating insects), crack due to age, and reinforcements (glue) on the back, beautiful and ancient patina from use. H.: 38 cm Provenance: Philippe Guimiot, Brussels Belgian private collection, acquired from the latter Publications and exhibitions: Masques du Monde, 1974, p. 53, Brussels, Crédit Communal de Belgique, June 28 - July 31, 1974 Guimiot and Van de Velde, Arts Premiers d'Afrique Noire, 1977, p. 77, no. 44, Brussels, Crédit Communal de Belgique, March 5 - April 17, 1977 Kerchache, Paudrat and Stephan, L'Art Africain, 1988, p. 550, no. 947