Crest Mask (Ngambak), Koro, 1900, Art Institute of Chicago: Arts of AfricaConstructed in three parts
Crest Mask (Ngambak), Koro, 1900, Art Institute of Chicago: Arts of AfricaConstructed in three parts connected by pegs, this human-shaped headdress, richly decorated with geometric patterns in paint and pokerwork, is called ngambak (man with bowed legs). Serving as village guardians, headdresses of this kind were worn with tentlike fabric robes during agrarian dance festivals that marked the planting and harvesting seasons. They were typically destroyed or discarded after being used in performance. Through prior purchase from Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Cummings; through prior bequest of Joseph R. Shapiro; through prior gift of Deborah Stokes and Jeffrey Hammer; through prior purchase from Mrs. Leigh B. Block; and through prior gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family CollectionSize: 87 × 31.1 × 20.3 cm (34 ½ × 12 ¼ × 8 in.)Medium: Wood, pigment, resin, abrus seeds, and fiberhttps://www.artic.edu/artworks/241910/ -- source link
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