Igala people, Nigeria

10.5 inches, painted wood

A contemporary Nigerian work that makes a playful break with tribal traditions! This jaunty, lively work depicts a postal worker, probably of East Indian extraction, smiling as he delivers the mail. The design on the cap bears a loose resemblance to the American USPS logo. Purchased in Nigeria by a German gallery owner, this piece is beautifully crafted, reminding of one of Nigerian folk artists such as S. J. Akpan. The mask shows signs of having been used.