This spectacular crest, made of wood, skin, pigments and bas - Lot 11

This spectacular crest, made of wood, skin, pigments and basketry, is supported by a basketry base in order to be placed on the dancer's head, and is surmounted by four large braids rolled up on themselves. The idealized beauty is reflected in the fineness of the naturalistic features and the brilliance of the brown patina of the face, covered with animal skin. In contrast, the whiteness of the almond-shaped eyes and the filed teeth reinforce the expressiveness of the face. This typical complex hairstyle would have been worn by young girls during initiation and seclusion prior to marriage. Ekoi / Ejagham style - Nigeria Height : 55 cm W: 56 cm Bibliography : COLL, Arts of Africa and Oceania. Les Chefs-d'oeuvre de la collection Barbier-Mueller (Geneva, Barbier-Mueller Museum, Arts of Africa and Oceania. Fleurons du musée Barbier-Mueller, spring 2007; Paris, Musée Jacquemart-André, Arts of Africa and Oceania. Les Chefs-d'oeuvre de la collection Barbier-Mueller, 19 March 2008 - 24 August 2008), Paris, Hazan, 2008 NIGEL Barley, Arts du Nigéria revisités, Editions Musée Barbier Mueller and Somogy Editions d'art, Paris, 2015, p.94