Ogbom dance crest

late 19th–early 20th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 343

Inspiration for this original hybrid creation derives from the convergence of two distinct masquerade traditions through trade on the Cross River. The first of these, with its protruding brow and planar face, is the Ogbom dance crest dedicated to Àlà (the Igbo earth goddess). The second, performed by members of the powerful Ekpe society, is characterized by a taut, skin-covered surface into which pin-like teeth are added.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Ogbom dance crest
Artist: Southern Igbo or Ibibio artist
Date: late 19th–early 20th century
Geography: Nigeria, Ozu-Item(?), Cross River region
Culture: Ibibio peoples
Medium: Wood, animal hide, metal (iron alloy, lead alloy, unknown alloy), pigment
Dimensions: H. 22 in. × W. 7 3/4 in. × D. 8 5/8 in. (55.9 × 19.7 × 21.9 cm)
Classification: Wood-Sculpture
Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Eliot Elisofon, 1956
Object Number: 1978.412.298
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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