cast;
pendant mask
- Museum number
- CRS.50
- Description
-
Cast; pendant mask made in resin in form of female face. Four faint vertical scarification marks above each eye. Further two long inset marks above nose, inlaid with iron (mainly missing). Metal inlays around eyes and pupils hollowed for further inalys (now missing). Pendant has circlet composed of repeating European (Portuguese) heads with beards and hats inlaid with metal. Two further rows of vertical pegs behind representing the hairstyle. Pendant has two loops at each side for attachment of suspension cord. Ruff below chin is pierced and has lattice-work design inlaid with metal. Some metal wires tied through holes in ruff. Coloured to match original pendant mask.
- Production date
-
3 June 1977-15 June 1977 (cast)
-
16thC (original)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 23.50 centimetres
-
Width: 12.20 centimetres
-
Depth: 5.10 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
The original sixteenth century pendant mask (Af1910,0513.1) was taken by Sir Ralph Moor during the British Expedition to Benin City in 1897. It would have been worn by the Oba as a hip pendant or possibly as a pectoral mask. It was associated with Queen Mother, Idia.
-
The original pendant mask (Af1910,0513.1) was selected as the official emblem of FESTAC 77, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture which took place in Lagos from 15 January-12 February 1977.
In 1976 the Nigerian government requested the loan of this mask for the duration of the Festival. This request was refused by the Museum primarily on conservation grounds. The Trustees of the British Museum approved the production of a resin cast to be offered to the Nigerian authorities.
This cast (CRS.50) was made in June 1977 but was not requested by the Nigerian government.
A replica derived from the original mask was made in bronze by the renowned Nigerian sculptor Erhabor Emokpae (1934-1984). This was eventually used during FESTAC '77 as the official emblem of the Festival.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Fair; metal inlays missing. Section missing from right proper side of mask (as in original). Large split at top of mask (as in original).
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- CRS.50
