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Ibibio and Eket

Moon mask (Offiong)

Ibibio or Eket, early 20th century

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Moon mask (Offiong)

Ibibio or Eket, early 20th century

Physical Qualities Wood, 7 1/16 × 6 5/16 × 3 15/16 in. (18 × 16 × 10 cm.)
Credit Line Gift of Barry and Toby T. Hecht, Bethesda, Maryland
Object Number 1994.243
Round like a full moon, the appearance of this face-mask suggests lunar imagery in poetic fashion. Both its formal and ornamental elements evoke the circle of the moon surrounded by its rays. These features were probably meant to make a symbolic connection to eka abbassi, the “Great Mother” or female creation divinity. Likewise, its black pigmentation may allude to both the dark orb of a new moon and the mask’s status as a spirit being.
"Meditations on African Art: Color," April 18, 2007-August 19, 2007, BMA, Karen Milbourne.

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