Mask
| Culture | Kutep |
|---|---|
| Title | Mask (Ikikpo) |
| Date | 19th–late 20th century |
| Medium | Wood |
| Dimensions | Object: 20 5/8 × 5 3/4 × 5 1/2 in. (52.4 × 14.6 × 14 cm) Overall: 20 5/8 × 5 3/4 × 5 1/2 in. (52.4 × 14.6 × 14 cm) |
| Credit Line | Gift of Bryce Holcombe in Honor of Roy Sieber, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 81.74.2 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A horizontal mask form with a beak-like form coming out of the front and two horn-like form that connect at the end coming out of the back.
Horizontal masks representing animals are associated with natural forces and used by secret and semi-secret societies. Some horizontal masks such as this one, while still representing an animal, are extremely abstracted. These masks often appear at important ceremonies such as funerals of high-ranking individuals and initiations. The masks are used to place the power of nature at the service of humanity and to provide protection from non-human and supernatural forces.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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Cite this page
"Mask | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=81.74.2