A geometric face mask

26 June 2020

One cannot dream of more extraordinarily geometric shapes than those represented on this facial mask of the Igbo people of Nigeria (Uzouwani and southwestern Nsukka region).

A cone (applied to the wearer’s face) is held by a flat, rectangular, openwork structure cleverly made up of a series of triangles. This type of mask appears in villages during festivals marking the awarding of a title by a man who plays an important role.

Igbo mask, Nigeria
Face mask. H 68,2 cm. Inv. 1014-92.
Photo Studio Ferrazzini Bouchet. MUSEE BARBIER-MUELLER.