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Ijo Head-Crest with Fish on Top 23.5″ Long – Nigeria – African Art

$112.50

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SKU: 1006713 Categories: , ,
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This head-crest was carved in the style of the Ijo people of Nigeria and features a beautifully carved fish on top. It comes with a custom stand for easy display and would make a wonderful addition to any home or collection. The piece measures 9 inches tall, 17 inches on custom stand, and is 23.5 inches long. There is some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout. Please inspect photos carefully.

Type of Object

Headcrest Mask

Country of Origin

Nigeria

Ethnicity

Ijo

Material

Wood, Pigment

Approximate Age

Unknown

Height (Inches)

9" headcrest, 17" on stand

Width (Inches)

11"

Depth (Inches)

23.5"

Weight (Pounds)

5.5 lbs headcrest, 10.5 lbs including stand

Overall Condition

Some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout.

Tribe Information

About the Ijo People

“The 250,000 Ijo people settled in the Niger River Delta where fish are in abundance, providing them with their principal means of subsistence. Ijo carvers produced altar panels and horizontal headdresses, called Otojo, which represent water spirits. They believe that these spirits are like humans in terms of their strengths and weaknesses and that before their birth, human beings live among the Otojo. Once born, the Ijo maintain contact with them through prayers in order to gain their favours.”

Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.