African Ekoi head mask, Southern Nigeria, early 20th century, wood, animal hide, and metal, height 10 inches. Provenance Rolf Miehler, Germany; ny private collections. Published in Hair in African Art and Culture, ed by Sieber and Hermann, 2000. Exhibited: The Museum of African Art New York;Apex Museum, Atlanta; Cantor Center for the Visual Arts, Stanford University; Museum of African American History, Detroit; California African American Museum, Los Angeles. Condition:The mask is missing the woven basket -like structure at the botton that would have attached the mask to the wearer. The head part itself has some minor losses and damage. Among all Ekoi masks this mask is one of the most elegant and powerful. The expression of the eyes is particularly penetrating.