Mwo (Ikorodo) helmet mask. Igbo people, Nigeria. Mid-20th century

About Auction

Live

MASTERPIECES FROM EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL ...

By Templum Fine Art Auctions

Feb 25, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-25 07:00:00 2026-02-25 07:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : MASTERPIECES FROM EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE COLLECTIONS https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/templum-fine-art-auctions/masterpieces-from-european-and-international-private-collections-22539
- SUBASTA DEL 25 DE FEBRERO A LAS 13:00h - EXPOSICIÓN ABIERTA! 13 DE FEBRERO - Lunes a viernes de 10:00 a 14:00 y de 16:00 a 20:00h - Sábados y Domingos: Cerrado Templum Fine Art Auctions info@templumauctions.com

View Full Catalog (908)

• Lot Description
  Wood. Height: 39 cm; width: 16 cm; depth: 44 cm; weight: 2.02 kg. African helmet-type mask belonging to the Igbo group, known as Ikorodo in the Nsukka region of southern Nigeria, designed to exalt youth, beauty, and spiritual presence. The face, with its angular and stylized features, has eyes reduced to narrow slits, a whitened surface decorated with scarification and geometric tattoos arranged in checkerboard and circular patterns. The imposing upper headdress takes the form of a tall, profusely ornamented cimier with circular growths, evoking ancient women's hairstyles adorned with metal elements. The white color, characteristic of these Agbo-Gho-Mwo masks, refers to the world of ancestral spirits. The term mwo translates as “spirit of the dead,” and these masks frequently accompanied funeral ceremonies, especially those for young women, although they were also worn by young men as a way to honor both ancestors and the spirit of the earth. The piece has a long internal crack that does not compromise its structural stability, indicative of its age and ritual use. The Igbo, settled in the forested region of southeastern Nigeria, are organized into highly autonomous communities, governed by the eldest lineage chief. Their religious system revolves around Chuku, the supreme omnipotent creator, and Ala, the spirit of the earth, the moral and spiritual axis of society. From a former British collection, this mask is a significant example of mid-20th-century Igbo ritual art, where aesthetics, symbolism, and ceremonial function are integrated into a sculptural form of great expressive power. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-community shipment: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.
• Shipping Info

  • Si desea obtener un presupuesto de transporte asegurado, envíe su factura a hola@thepackengers.com 

     

    Los lotes se encuentran repartidos entre nuestros almacenes de Madrid, Barcelona( otros) por lo que es necesario coordinar la recogida y el envío con anticipación. Para organizar la logística correspondiente, se deberá realizar una consulta previa al correo electrónico admin@templumauctions.es.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 23.50 %