Eket Headcrest, Nigeriaogbom Woodheight 15 3/4in (40cm)ProvenanceGilbert and Roda Graham Collection, New YorkDorothy Brill Robbins Collection, New YorkRobert Nooter Collection, New YorkGalerie Valluet-Ferrandin, ParisJoris Visser, BrusselsAntonio Onrubia Collection, BarcelonaExhibitedWilliams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, Massachusetts, Assuming the Guise: African Masks, Considered and Reconsidered, 12 October 1991 - 1 March 1992 PublishedBach, Suzanne, Assuming the Guise: African Masks, Considered and Reconsidered, Williams College Museum of Art, Massachusetts, 1991, fig. 42 Onrubia, Antonio, La Diversidad de las Formas, Editorial Gustavo Gili, S.L., Barcelona, 2016, fig. 102Probably utilized for the ogbom plays in honor of Ala, the earth deity, due to the domed base being pierced with holes. "Ogbom was believed to make children plentiful. It was performed towards the middle of the year on every eighth day for eight weeks by each section of the village in turn. Each section had two carvings. Everyone joined in the dance, but only men wore the headdresses." (Murray, Kenneth C., Masks and Headdress of Nigeria, Zwemmer Gallery, London, 1949, no. 88)With carefully designed janus faces on the lower section similarly carved as the singular face on the upper portion, separated by a columnar "neck" with multiple rings; glossy black patina.