Expressive human-head-shaped crest with three faces exhibited during the dances of some initiatory societies by the warriors and head-cutters of Nigeria as a trophy to witness their worth and the numerous enemies killed in battle.
Made by applying antelope skin treated on a wooden base with woven wicker backing, this particularly intense mask-crest has been made even more dramatic thanks to the use of wooden teeth and real human hair.
The antelope skin over time has lost elasticity until it becomes hard and taut so as to create small tears in the points of greatest tension.