epa mask, unrecorded Oyo artist

Artwork Overview

unrecorded Oyo artist, epa mask
unrecorded Oyo artist, epa mask
unrecorded Oyo artist
epa mask
late 1800s–1975
unrecorded Oyo artist, artist
epa mask, late 1800s–1975
Where object was made: Central Oyo, Nigeria
Material/technique: paint; wood; carving
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 127 x 31 x 34 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 50 x 12 3/16 x 13 3/8 in
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. Kenneth Palmer
Accession number: 2007.3176
Not on display
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Archive label for Palmer collection exhibit, date unknown:
Most prevalent in the northern part of the Yoruba area, this form of dancing mask is typically highly stylized in its lower portion and much more naturalistic in the superstructure. The barrel-shaped helmet mask is often carved as a Janus head, while the superstructure provides an opportunity for highly artistic and individualistic compositions. Masked Epa dancers were very active, despite the fact that the masks have been known to weigh over 100 pounds and to tower over five feet above the dancer's head.