Particularly expressive helmet mask used anciently by Ekoi warriors ( also known by the name Ejagham) within the Ekkpe secret society during rituals in which they practiced human sacrifices by cutting off the heads of their enemies to use as trophies. interestingly, the wooden helmet was shaped and carved with eyes, ears, nose and mouth and then entirely covered with presumably antelope skin. A magnificently stylized smaller head is depicted on the top, not covered with leather but with a beautiful thick, dark patina.
A row of holes made at regular intervals from ear to ear on both heads suggests to us that originally this mask was adorned with animal hair-like hair and therefore had an even more dramatic expression.
The skin has lost any trace of elasticity with time, and some missing and blemishes are evident at the left eye level. Traces of natural black pigment around the face.
The teeth and pins that secure the skin to the helmet are made of wood, so there is no trace of any kind of metal throughout the mask.
This work was collected by Franco Monti on one of his many trips to Africa and became part of his collection with the number 964 as evidenced by the label placed inside the helmet and written in his own handwriting.
An Ekoi helmet mask very similar to this one although two-faced and without an upper head is in the Delfino Dinz Rialto collection of the Museum of Primitive Arts in Rimini and published in the catalog under number 148.