Mask

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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

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About this Work

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
More Details

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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"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