Ekuecici (mask of rubbish)

late 19th–early 20th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 343

The carver of this arresting mask purposefully left his tool marks apparent. He covered the surface sporadically with dried beeswax onto which he embedded red abrus seeds, and gave the face its expressive features of bulging cheeks, circular eye-openings, and pouting open mouth. This mask has intrigued collectors and specialists since it was first exhibited in Paris in 1930. Initially described as stemming from Cameroon, it was later thought to be from Mali before being rightfully attributed to a Nigerian origin in the early 1970s. Scholars of Central Nigerian arts and culture now identify it as key to a masquerade known as Ekuecici ("mask of rubbish") popular among Ebira communities. The role of Ekuecici was to police the crowd during important festivals and social gatherings, but also to celebrate a deceased’s achievements in warfare and hunting.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Ekuecici (mask of rubbish)
Artist: Ebira artist
Date: late 19th–early 20th century
Geography: Nigeria, Benue River Valley region, Niger-Benue Confluence
Culture: Ebira peoples
Medium: Wood, abrus seed, resin
Dimensions: H. 13 × W. 7 × D. 7 1/4 in. (33 × 17.8 × 18.4 cm)
Classification: Wood-Sculpture
Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
Object Number: 1979.206.23
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Pendant mask of Ìyọ́bà Idià, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, iron, brass, coal, traces of iron oxides, Edo — Pendant mask of Ìyọ́bà Idià
Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
16th century

Òpó (veranda post) with equestrian and female figure, Olowe of Ise Nigerian, Iroko wood, paint, resin — Òpó (veranda post) with equestrian and female figure
Olowe of Ise
before 1938

Dance crest, Ejagham artist, Wood, animal hide, cane, iron, pigment, bone or ivory, Ejagham peoples — Dance crest
Ejagham artist
19th–mid-20th century

Lidded Vessel, Yoruba artist, Ivory, wood or coconut-shell inlay, Yoruba peoples, Owo group — Lidded Vessel
Yoruba artist
17th–18th century

Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà), Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists, Brass, Edo — Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà)
Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists
Early 15th–mid-16th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.