Lot 203: An Ukelle or Ogoga skin-covered dance crest

Ukelle or Ogoga, Nigeria/Cameroon; H. 10"

Of powerful and arresting form, the surface well patinated and painted with typical design elements, the coiffure composed of attached wooden braids, the whole mounted on original intact wicker structure.

Comments:
The second example, smaller and more aggressive, is described by Neckline as a “skin-covered cap mask deriving from the Middle Cross River area, probably Ogoja. [It] could According to the late Dr. Keith Neckline, this cap-crest may be from the Ukelle, a group at the northwestern limit of skinhead distribution. Probably one of a pair or ensemble used in funeral masquerade.” [Nicklin., 1989] Quite often, cap masks of this type have designs drawn on their cheeks which are ritual symbols known as Inside that may be understood by other members of the secret society utilizing these objects.



Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 24, Fig. 55

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

Price Realized: $900

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