Okoroshi Ojo (devil) mask

Igbo people, Mgbala Agua, Imo State, Nigeria

10 inches, painted wood

An unusual mask in many respects, this Igbo Okoroshi Ojo was collected prior to 1960. Ojos (male) are usually dark in color and represent the evil force, Omas (female) are light in color and have happy expressions. See Jim Pieper’s “Masks of the World” for a somewhat similar Ojo mask marked “Suppressor (Omewuaha), carved by Anozie.” This carver had a son, Robert Anozie, who also made masks, according to another source.
Hopefully the photos capture some of the unusual detail. For example, there are many different types of holes: 32 perimeter holes for raffia skirt, 9 slightly larger oval holes going through front (observed best from rear), 6 holes around mouth that don’t go through, 2 holes in forehead probably used to attach horns, plus 2 eye holes and 2 nostrils. Both the paint and inside wood have a nice patina signifying age and usage.

$750

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