Egungun Headdress

Description

For collecting and sale is an old Yoruba Egungun headdress.  The headdress is 11 in. by 9 in. by 11 in.  The headdress has some damage and wood deterioration.
The Egungun
use
headdresses and not masks since they sit on top of the head and not across the face.   The headdresses are used in conjunction with elaborate masquerade textile costumes to honor ancestors and to celebrate the positive influences of ancestral spirits on the community. During the annual festival (Odun Egungun), which can last up to 17 days, it is believed that the masqueraders become possessed by ancestor spirits with the aim of visiting their families and loved ones before journeying back to the spirit world.  It is further believed that no one should touch a Egungun dancer because it will bring evil and hardship to the person and their family.
The
egungun eleti
headdress (meaning ‘one who has ears’) is worn by masqueraders called
egungun erin
(meaning 'elephant') referring to the large size of the mask but also to the high social standing and wealth of the owner, his commitment to the community and to his ancestors.  This mask for collecting is of this type but due to age and damage, a new mask was created in its; place.  Due to wear and tear, the headdress is missing the large ears and the area where an animal would have been but the stubs remain..
The piece is a recent acquisition and does not conform with the direction my collection is heading which is why I am selling it.  According to the African art dealer, the carver is Adugo Loge of the Itoko-Aibno Compound in Abeokuta.
SHIPPING WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10 DAYS DUE TO E-BAY'S NEW SELLER POLICY.  UPON BUYER PAYMENT, IT TAKES FROM 5 TO 7 DAYS FOR SELLER TO RECEIVE PAYMENT IF THERE IS A WEEKEND WITHIN TWO DAYS OF BUYING PIECE!
The buyer will receive the below documents:
- Nigerian museum certificate
- Nigerian clearance permit
- FedEx shipping receipt dated
- Nigerian customs clearance permit
- Togo declaration of the piece being sold to current owner
- Togo Certificate of cleared export of wood piece
- A copy of the African art dealer that sold the piece
The piece is old and authentic and all paperwork is provided so that there is no question of provenance.
Shipping is free domestically; international buyers will be require to pay an additional USD 100.00.