The best-performing lots in the tribal art sale at Woolley & Wallis (25% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on June 8 were these two pieces: an Ibibio mask (idiok ekpo) sold at £30,000 and a Nicobar standing male figure (kareau) that brought £34,000.
Expressive idiok ekpo represent spirits and were used in the dances of the Ibibio, who live east of the Niger Delta in south-east Nigeria.
Finely carved with a particularly ‘strong’ face, this 10in (25cm) example is painted black with white pigment to the teeth within an articulated jaw.