Description:

West Africa, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A fantastic example of a hand-carved wooden Gelede mask. The face is delightfully carved with repeated elongated oval patterns that move horizontally down the cheeks and across the forehead, indicating scarification marks. The eyes are half-circle-shaped and large, the nose wide, with flared nostrils, and the lips large and fleshy. The figure is carved with a crown-like headdress with four rounded projections; set within crown is carved hair with incised patterns giving it a highly textured appearance. Blue and red pigment accentuate the crown. Size: 10" W x 11.5" H (25.4 cm x 29.2 cm)

The Gelede is a celebration of the power of women - spirits, ancestors, and older women of the community - that incorporates art and masked dance in a colorful, lively spectacle. Gelede masks like this one are worn with a bright, cloth costume that hangs down from the fabric ring on the bottom of the mask. Mask decorations vary widely, and are meant to show the personality and lineage of the person wearing the mask.

Provenance: the late Nick Poolos collection, Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired before 1970

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#123858

  • Condition: Light surface scratching and wear, with nice aged patina and some remaining pigment, especially on the headdress.

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December 20, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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