Description:

Western Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A large, hand-carved wooden Gelede mask. The pale-yellow visage consists of concentric, almond-shaped eyes, a tall nose with broad nostrils, an ovoid mouth, deep facial scarification marks, huge cupped ears, and a gridded coiffure colored in dark-brown pigment. This type of mask is meant to be worn atop one's head with a draped textile costume below rather than in front of the face. 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. Size: 8.5" W x 8" H (21.6 cm x 20.3 cm).

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

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#130763

  • Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, a few small and stable hairline fissures, fading and chips to pigmentation, minor wear to ears, nose, mouth, eyes, and chin, with small loss to portion of base, otherwise very good.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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