Height: 41 inches with basket

Materials: wood, Hide,raffia

The Ejagham Ekoi masks and headdresses represent ancestors. The skin covering of a mask or headcrest served as a magical agent to invoke ancestral spirits during initiations of members of the association, and also at periodic rites connected with agriculture. This massive and intricate piece, has a woven rattan base encircling a carinated neck, and supporting the head; with four almost identical faces with naturalistic features, and wearing an elaborate coiffure. The multiple swirling tresses are inserted with wooded pegs at the base; the whole covered with leather. What is interesting about this unique headcrest is that, all the twelve swirling tresses are detachable. Fine aged patina.