SKIN-COVERED MASKS FROM THE CROSS RIVER REGION OF NIGERIA AND CAMEROON AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART: A TECHNICAL STUDY

Abstract

Nineteen skin-covered masks from the Cross River region of Nigeria and Cameroon were studied at the National Museum of African Art. The construction of the masks are documented and compared against existing field literature. Results of analyses of the wood, skin, and surface applications are included, as well as detail images of construction features. In addition to visual examination, x-radiography, thin section, deoxyribonucleic acid, portable x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared analysis techniques were employed in the examination. For the most part, this study showed the skin-covered masks in the NMAfA collection support the basics of the field literature descriptions while also illustrating a wider variety in techniques and materials.

Résumé—Dix-neuf masques recouverts de peau provenant de la région du fleuve Cross au Nigeria et au Cameroun ont été étudiés au National Museum of African Art. La fabrication des masques a été documentée et cette information comparée à la littérature existante sur le sujet. Les résultats de l'analyse du bois, de la peau et des couches de surface sont inclus, ainsi que des images détaillées des traits caractéristiques de fabrication. En plus d'un examen visuel, une analyse technique a été complétée, incluant une étude de lames minces et d'ADN, l'examen par rayons X, la spectroscopie infrarouge à transformée de Fourier, et la spectrométrie de fluorescence X à l'aide d'un analyseur portable. En général cette étude des masques recouverts de peau de la collection du musée confirme l'information de base présente dans la littérature existante, tout en démontrant toutefois une plus grande variété dans les techniques et matériaux utilisés.

Resumen—Diecinueve máscaras cubiertas de piel de la región Cross River en Nigeria y Camerún fueron estudiadas en el Museo Nacional de Arte Africano (MNAA). La construcción de las máscaras fue documentada y comparada con la literatura existente en el campo. En este estudio se incluyó el análisis analítico de la madera, de la piel y de las aplicaciones en la superficie, así como también se hicieron imágenes de los detalles de las características de la construcción. Además del examen visual, se emplearon las siguientes técnicas de examen: radiografía de rayos x, corte delgado, ADN, fluorescencia de rayos x portátil, difracción de rayos x, y espectroscopia infrarroja de transformada de Fourier. En su mayoría, este estudio mostró que las máscaras cubiertas de piel de la colección del MNAA avalan las descripciones básicas de la literatura en el campo y a la vez ilustran una variedad más amplia de técnicas y materiales.

Resumo—Dezenove máscaras cobertas de pele provenientes da região de Cross River da Nigéria e de Camarões foram estudadas no Museu Nacional de Arte Africana (National Museum of African Art - NMAfA). A construção das máscaras é documentada e comparada com a literatura existente no campo. Foi incluída a análise analítica da madeira, da pele e de aplicações de superfície, bem como imagens de detalhes de características da construção. Além do exame visual, foram utilizados na pesquisa: radiografia raio-x, lâmina delgada, ácido desoxirribonucléico, fluorescência de raio-x portátil, difração de raios-x e técnicas de análise de espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier. Na maioria das vezes, este estudo mostrou que as máscaras cobertas de pele da coleção NMAfA dão respaldo às noções básicas das descrições da literatura de campo, ao mesmo tempo em que ilustram uma variedade mais ampla em técnicas e materiais.

Keywords:

• Skin-covered
• Mask
• Cross river
• Ejagham
• African

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program and the National Museum of African Art for providing the opportunity to take on this research. Thanks to all who provided analytical assistance throughout this project, specifically Carol Grissom, Lynn Brostoff, Walter Hopwood, and Ron Cunningham of the Museum Conservation Institute; Robert Fleischer, Jesus Maldonado, and John Beadell of the National Zoological Park; and Stan Yankowski of the National Museum of Natural History. The author would like to give special thanks to Steve Mellor, Stephanie Hornbeck (now of Caryatid Conservation Service), Dana Moffet, Chris Kreamer, Bryna Freyer, and Amy Staples of NMAfA, who were instrumental in supporting this research and helping see it through to completion.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nina Owczarek

Nina Owczarek holds her MA in Art History and an Advanced Certificate in the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works from the Conservation Center at New York University. After working for various museums, regional centers, and private collections in the USA and abroad, she is currently Haas Trust Associate Conservator at the Penn Museum and principle conservator for mountworks llc. Her post-graduate training included a fellowship at the National Museum of African Art, which gave her the opportunity to undertake this research. She is co-founder and former Program Chair of the Philadelphia Area Conservation Association and a Professional Associate member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Email: [email protected]. Mailing address: 1710 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130.