Items Similar to "Large Head with Horns - Nigerian, Ekoi People, " Carved Wood created circa 1950
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Unknown"Large Head with Horns - Nigerian, Ekoi People, " Carved Wood created circa 1950circa 1950
circa 1950
About the Item
This carving is of a large head with three horns. This piece is made of wood and skin by the Ekoi people of Nigeria. Ekoi people, also known as Ejagham, are an ethnic group in the extreme southeast of Nigeria and extending eastward into the southwest region of Cameroon. The Ekoi are best known for their Ekpe headdresses, of which this piece is a spectacular example.
23" x 22" x 6 1/2" carving
Ekpe, also known as Egbo (Ibibio: Leopard), is a secret society flourishing chiefly among the Efiks of the Cross River State, the Oron, of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Arochukwu and some parts of Abia State, as well as in the diaspora, such as in Cuba and Brazil. The society is still active at the beginning of the 21st century, however, now it plays only a ceremonial role.
Ekpe is a mysterious spirit who is supposed to live in the jungle and to preside at the ceremonies of the society. Members of the Ekpe society are said to act as messengers of the ancestors (ikan). The economics of the society is based on paying tribute to the village ancestors. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. Members are bound by oath of secrecy, and fees on entrance are payable. The Ekpe-men are ranked in seven or nine grades, for promotion to each of which fresh initiation ceremonies, fees and oaths are necessary. The society combines a kind of freemasonry with political and lawenforcing aims. For instance any member wronged in an Ekpe district, that is one dominated by the society, has only to address an Ekpe-man or beat the Ekpe drum in the Ekpe-house, or blow Ekpe as it is called, i.e., sound the Ekpe horn, before the hut of the wrong-doer, and the whole machinery of the society is put in force to see justice done. Ekpe members always wear masks when performing their police duties, and although individuals may nonetheless be recognized, fear of retribution from the ikan stops people from accusing those members who may overstep their limits. Formerly the society earned a bad reputation due to what the British viewed as the barbarous customs that were intermingled with its rites.
- Creation Year:circa 1950
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Milwaukee, WI
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1966
1stDibs seller since 2017
390 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milwaukee, WI
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- "Flat Wooden Puppet (male), " Wood & Leather created in Indonesian in the 19th CLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 16" high and 5" wide with movable, was used in Indonesian Wayang puppet shows. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶꦠ꧀, "Shadow"), also known as Wajang, is a form of puppet theatre art...Category
19th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- "Flat Wooden Shadow Puppet, " Wood & Leather created in Indonesia in the 19th CLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 20" high and 8" wide with movable, was used in Indonesian Wayang puppet shows. Wayang (Kram...Category
19th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- "Shadow Puppet (flat) Wayang Klitik, " Leather & Wood created in IndonesiaLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 26" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang Klitik...Category
19th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- "Flat Wooden Puppet (Woman with Comb & White Face) Wayang Klitik, " LeatherLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 25" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang Klitik puppet shows. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶꦠ꧀, "Shadow"), also known as Wajang, is a form of puppet theatre art...Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
- "Shadow Puppet Wayang Purwa, " Leather created in Indonesian in the 19th CenturyLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist using water buffalo hide. This shadow puppet, 14" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang puppet shows. This puppet is an archer. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶꦠ꧀, "Shadow"), also known as Wajang, is a form of puppet theatre art...Category
19th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsAnimal Skin, Leather
- "Indonesian Shadow Puppet" Leather created in Indonesian during the 19th CenturyLocated in Milwaukee, WIThis flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 19" high, was used in Indonesian Wayang puppet shows. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶ...Category
19th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
You May Also Like
- Vintage Alligator by Oaxacan Master Carver Gerardo Ramirez MoralesBy Gerardo Ramirez MoralesLocated in Los Angeles, CAAlligator 1989 Gerardo Ramirez Morales San Antonio Arrazola, Oaxaca, Mexico Copal wood, acrylic paint Signed 22.25 inches L. x 6.50 inches H. (at tail) x 8 inches W. This amazing al...Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsAcrylic, Wood
- Your Feelings are Lava (Flight)Located in Nashville, TNFord William is a self-taught folk/outsider artist, who began making art after coming to terms with chronic mental health issues that had plagued him all his life. The piece was made...Category
2010s Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- How Will the Freezer Freeze?Located in Nashville, TNFord William is a self-taught folk/outsider artist, who began making art after coming to terms with chronic mental health issues that had plagued him all his life. The piece was made...Category
2010s Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- American Folk Art Shrine Outsider Art SculptureLocated in New York, NYA great American folk art shrine, found many years ago in Minnesota. The Christian imagery, typical in Hispanic folk art, is here likely to have Scandinavian origins in the upper Gre...Category
1890s Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsWood, Paint
- Guatemala. Maschera di Baila de la Conquista. Inizio XX secoloLocated in Firenze, ITQuesta maschera guatemalteca del inizio del XX secolo, scolpita in legno e utilizzata per la danza della Riconquista (Baila de la Conquista) , raffigura vividamente un uomo europeo, ...Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsWood, Intaglio
- Wood Carving of Seminole Indian Chief and WifeLocated in Fredericksburg, VALeroy Jackson is a very well known World War II veteran artist from Tampa, FL and Louisiana. He specializes in all different types of wood carvings, from a more detailed nature carvi...Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsWood
