Provenience undocumented (Benin City, Nigeria; in England by late 19th c; Plaza Art Galleries of NY, to 4/25/57; Joseph Hirshhorn purchase 4/25/57-5/17/66). Plaza Art Galleries auction brochure described piece as "cire perdue (lost wax) royal portrait sculpture; found in the old palace ruins. Brought to England before the Nigerian government's ban on export of bronze antiquities." Vetted by William Fagg and Philip Dark. Exhibited in Hirshhorn Museum (HMSG) "Benin Art," Dec 1978 - (?) 1980.
Description: oval, hollow mask has stylized facial features with round bulging eyes, wide nose, full lips, & small ears placed close to the eyes. Forehead has 6 scarification marks across. Chin has fan-shaped plug with raised concentric semi-circular design. Has close-fitting cap with diamond-shaped design. Around edge of mask is border of loops with 2 bigger ones, one at top center & other at bottom center.
SI Archives acc. 86-136, box 1