Igbo /Cross River Janus-faced Headcrest,SUPERB African Start Price USD 390.00 Current Price USD 390.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, July 20, 2008 End Time Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Igbo /Cross River Janus-faced Headcrest,SUPERB African' Description Title: Janus Faced Ekeleke or Ekpe Society headcrestType of Object: Head CrestEthnic Group: Igbo or Cross River unspecified peopleCountry of Origin: NigeriaMaterials: Wood, pigmentApproximate Age: 20th centuryDimensions: Height is 14.5 inchesOverall Condition: Good with signs of long useDamage, Repair: General wear, indigenous repair to outside of neck, holes.Additional Information: This Janus headcrest is tentatively identified with the Igbo of Nigeria.It could be from any other people living in the cross river region of Nigeria from whom the Igbo have borrowed such sculptures.  This finely carved head crest with two human faces   rests on a conical hollow form  that would have been fitted into a socket of what would have been a basketry framework fitted over the dancer’s head. The faces were painted in a bright white that was renewed several time. A dark color can be seen in the hairstyle area. The detail of the features and the symbolic motifs on the foreheads are fixed in Igbo proverbial sayings. They are similar to those found on other Igbo sculptures and masks. Such headcrest called Ekeleke were worn by stilt dancers in the dry season during ceremonial activities that are often a “light-hearted spectacle” that includes the portrayal of the ongoing struggle of “good versus evil”!. Such  headcrests top brightly colored costumes worn by stilt dancers who appear a number of times over an eight day period during the dry season in a variety of complex and inter-related performances. Such headcrests were also used in the Ekpe men’s society. Among a number of people in the Lower Niger and Cross River region, in fact stretching down into the Niger River delta, a men’s graded society know as Ekpe plays a prominent and powerful role in social control, exercising judicial duties and in recognizing members as they advanced through various levels of membership in this secret organization. The masks identified with Ekpe are worn on top of the head and are a carved head on a neck-like support. Not much is known of their actual appearance and the spread of Ekpe among different culture groups and within areas that are difficult to access make it difficult to set a single pattern of use for the Ekpe Society masks. For similar pieces see Marcilene Wittmer and William Arnett, THREE RIVERS OF NIGERIA, pp. 26-27For full discussion of Igbo masking traditions see Cole and Anikor in their thorough discussion of Igbo arts.Recommended Reading:Cole, H. M. & C. C. Aniakor, Igbo Arts and Community, Community and Cosmos. 1984.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.  **019234** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!