Contact Seller
Rams Head Antiques
Tel07769255544Please quote Antiques Atlas.
African Bamum Tribal Helmet / Mask
Early 1900s Coco-de-Mer Basket/Trug
Very large Tribal Fang Mask Gabon Wall Hang
Inuit Tupilak Whale Vertebrae Shaman Statue,c1850
19th Century Carved African Fertility Figure
Papua New Guinea Hanging Bowl,c1820
Papua New Guinea Tapa Cloth.
Large Papua New Guinea Shield from West Sepik
Yoruba Rattle Anklet Ceremonial Dance Bronze
Three Inuit Carved Stone Statues,c1920
Tribal Ceremonial Wooden Carved Bowl Oceania Papua
Two African Bronze Sao Horseman Statues, c1920
Non UK callers :
+44 7769255544
Rare Tribal Angas Dance Mask Northern Nigeria
This is a very rare beaded dance mask from the Angas people also known as the Ngas and the Kerang of Nigeria.
The mask is made of plant fibres woven together and decorated with red abrus seeds or iron zakhara in Hausa, with tufts of cotton that hang down as strands. These were used as masquerade masks for a men’s secret society called the Jankai, which is a Hausa word meaning “Red Head”. The Jankai appear during harvest time dressed in the red mask with billowing cloth robes. Elizabeth Isichei, in the article "Change in Anaguta Traditional Religion" describes the Jankai masquerade thus: "the dance is wild, and the dancer achieves an ecstatic state in which great physical feats are possible, with dizzying whirls and great bounds into the air. The dancer lashes out at bystanders with rods and thorn switches, with such violence that he must sometimes be restrained." (Isichei 1991, 43).
Similar examples are held in the British Museum collection the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures Illinois and the National Museum of Jamaica.
The mask is mounted on a bespoke carved stone base with metal rod supports and measures 76 cms in height overall and 16 cms square at the base.
The mask itself is 46 cms in height and 22 cms in diameter.
Provenance
Property of a Gentleman.
From the residual contents of Stanhope Castle, Bishop Auckland.
UK delivery is £20
SellerRams Head Antiques
View all stock from
Rams Head Antiques
17 Front Street
Wolsingham
Weardale
Durham
DL13 3DF
Tel : 07769255544
Non UK callers : +44 7769255544
Get directions to Rams Head Antiques
The mask is made of plant fibres woven together and decorated with red abrus seeds or iron zakhara in Hausa, with tufts of cotton that hang down as strands. These were used as masquerade masks for a men’s secret society called the Jankai, which is a Hausa word meaning “Red Head”. The Jankai appear during harvest time dressed in the red mask with billowing cloth robes. Elizabeth Isichei, in the article "Change in Anaguta Traditional Religion" describes the Jankai masquerade thus: "the dance is wild, and the dancer achieves an ecstatic state in which great physical feats are possible, with dizzying whirls and great bounds into the air. The dancer lashes out at bystanders with rods and thorn switches, with such violence that he must sometimes be restrained." (Isichei 1991, 43).
Similar examples are held in the British Museum collection the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures Illinois and the National Museum of Jamaica.
The mask is mounted on a bespoke carved stone base with metal rod supports and measures 76 cms in height overall and 16 cms square at the base.
The mask itself is 46 cms in height and 22 cms in diameter.
Provenance
Property of a Gentleman.
From the residual contents of Stanhope Castle, Bishop Auckland.
UK delivery is £20
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 16/JAN/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Tribal Art
Period Early 20th Century Antiques
Item code as623a3404
Status Sold
£325.00 
$397.64 
€386.00 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 16/JAN/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
View all stock from
Rams Head Antiques
17 Front StreetWolsingham
Weardale
Durham
DL13 3DF
Tel : 07769255544
Non UK callers : +44 7769255544
Get directions to Rams Head Antiques
You may also be interested in
African Bamum Tribal Helmet / Mask
Early 1900s Coco-de-Mer Basket/Trug
Very large Tribal Fang Mask Gabon Wall Hang
Inuit Tupilak Whale Vertebrae Shaman Statue,c1850
19th Century Carved African Fertility Figure
Papua New Guinea Hanging Bowl,c1820
Papua New Guinea Tapa Cloth.
Large Papua New Guinea Shield from West Sepik
Yoruba Rattle Anklet Ceremonial Dance Bronze
Three Inuit Carved Stone Statues,c1920
Tribal Ceremonial Wooden Carved Bowl Oceania Papua
Two African Bronze Sao Horseman Statues, c1920