Mask Item Number: 3326/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Small carved mask of a human face. The face is surrounded by a flat edge with holes through it that are more concentrated around the upper edge. The face has small cutout squinting eyes, a small pointed nose and a wide toothy smile. On each temple and the centre of the forehead are raised rectangular designs made with three rows of three small rectangles.
Used in Ekpe ceremonies, which is celebrated in different communities around December.
Purchased by Lieber in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. Lieber was living in Nigeria from 1965-1970, lecturing at the University of Ibadan under the auspices of CIDA.