An Uhunmwun-ekhue hip mask depicting a beautiful face, richl - Lot 68

An Uhunmwun-ekhue hip mask depicting a beautiful face, richly adorned and adorned with a frieze beard with batrachian motifs. This type of mask was traditionally worn at the hip, recalling the ancient warrior tradition of sacrificial trophies, and served to conceal the knot tying the loincloth of royal court dignitaries tied at the side. The hip hip mask in the Evrard de Rouvre collection, in addition to its fine sculptural modelling, features a face scarified by three keloids above each eye and a large vertical scarification from the forehead to the tip of the nose, as well as braids falling to the side and other finery in the form of an openwork crown of coral beads. The pupils appear to be made of ferrous metal inclusions, attesting to the high virtuosity of the ancient founders of the royal court of Benin City. This tradition of the art of casting was passed on to the Edo through the Ifé culture. The frieze beard with its batrachian motif is another reminder of the importance of the god Olokun, the deity of water. Old Kingdom of Benin, Edo population, Nigeria, circa 18th century Copper alloy and inclusions of another ferrous metal, old inventory number on back on the back (617.), very fine old oxidation, very fine old patina. H. 18.5 cm Provenance : - Sotheby's, London, June 4, 1962, lot 154 - Evrard de Rouvre Collection, acquired at this sale - Passed on by descent