Description:

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A finely-carved Gelede helmet mask, solid in composition, with a concave base for wearing atop one's head. The face is comprised of hemispherical eyes, a petite nose, thin lips, cupped ears, and ritual scarification marks across both cheeks. The tall browline has an angled vertical ridge tracing up the conical head, and is accentuated with dozens of hammered bronze pins; similar pins adorn the eyes and temples. 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. Colored with a light-brown pigment and embellished with faintly-incised curvilinear designs, this is a fabulous example from the Yoruba! Size: 8.75" H (22.2 cm).

Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA acquired prior to 1970

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#130685

  • Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, several stable hairline fissures, losses to some pins, small chips and nicks to ears, cheeks, and top of head, light chips and fading to pigmentation, otherwise very good.

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March 1, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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