Igbo Northern Nigeria African Maiden Spirit Mask Crest Helmet Applique Red Cloth

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Igbo Northern Nigeria African Maiden Spirit Mask Crest Helmet Applique Red Cloth:
$1000.00

This fabulous Old Igbo Beautiful Maiden Spirit Mask Costume comes from the Igbo people of Northern Nigeria. The beautiful maiden mask symbolizes the idealization of the beauty and virtue of young girls as they are introduced into society. The young girls are well dressed and are the pride of their father\'s eye. Igbo Masks have a variety of uses, mainly in social satires, religious rituals, secret society initiations and public festivals. Some of the best known include the Agbogho Mmuo (Igbo: Maiden spirit) which represent the spirits of deceased maidens and their mothers with masks symbolizing beauty. For the Igbo people, life is a cycle that moves from birth to death, passing through the spiritual world. They believe that death is a transition from the human world to the spiritual world. Men of middle rank in the secret society would dance with these masks, known as \"Agbogho Mmwo,\" to remember the spirits of the beautiful girls and their mothers who have passed away. The costumes are always colorful, made up of variety of colored fabrics, and are appliqued in detailed, design and patterns. The wooden crest helmet that sits on top the fabric mask is comprised of red, blue, green and white painted wood in various shapes and arranged within the crest are two distinct triangular white painted female maiden faces, with the white color representing the spirit. The base for the crest which sits atop the mask is painted, and also decorative with a variety of painted squares of wood. This Igbo mask and costume form a community of souls. Quite an extraordinary old Igbo mask costume with an amazing brightly painted wooden crest helmet would be a superb addition to your collection and home.COMES ON STAND45\" tall
Mask fabric
1 3\" tall
8\" wide
Fabric side and back
27\" long
6 1/2\" wide
Crest Helmet
15 1/2\" tall9 1/2\" wide Collected in the field, shows age, tears in mask, stains and discoloration, torn stitches
discoloration in the paint on the wood crest and nick and various chips. The crest is loose, but stationary, and in overall good condition.AT BACARA WE STAND BEHIND ALL OF OUR MERCHANDISE. WE CAN PROVIDE REFERENCES FOR ALL ARTIFACTS THAT WE SELL, AS WELL AS DOCUMENTATION TOWARD THEIR AUTHENTICITY. FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MAIN GOAL, AND WE THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT THE WORLD OF BACARA.