Ekoi Animal Spirit Headdress, Based

Those horns spiral twice, then keep thinking about it.

This animal spirit headdress is Ekoi, also called Ejagham, from the Cross River region of Nigeria in West Africa, and dates to the mid 20th century. It is wood covered in hide, set with cow's teeth. Skin-covered headdresses are a well-known art of the Cross River region, generally associated with its men's societies. A long red-brown muzzle narrows to a small open mouth lined with pale teeth. White rims the eyes, and twisted black horns coil out in wide spirals. Mounted on a stand, it measures 36 inches wide and 34 high.

Few things enter a room horns first with such composure.