261036 - Extremely rare African Egungun head from the Yoruba - Nigeria.
Extremely rare African Egungun head from the Yoruba, Nigeria.
Hand carved from a single piece of wood.
Size: 20 cm high.
This Yoruba sculpture was dated from the mid of the 20th century with certificate of authenticity.
This Egungun head—representing the god of ancestors and the hunt—is carved from hard wood and features a black-tinted coiffure, tightly braided in parallel rows running from the forehead to the back, typical of the *didi* style. The face, with its dark brown complexion, is smooth, contrasting with the base of the neck and shoulders, which display a rough texture left by the carving tools. The eyes are large and expressive, featuring beige whites and pupils rendered in black and white. This piece is designed to be attached to a dancer's headdress during processions and rituals honoring the ancestors.