Early 20th C. African Yoruba Gelede Wooden Helmet Mask
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Description
**Originally Listed At $200**
West Africa, Yoruba peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A fine example of one of the most distinctive forms of West African masks: a helmet Gelede mask, made to be worn by men and to portray a range of male and female characters. It shows a face topped by a rounded coiffure. Kaolin mixed with soil gives it the dark color; brilliant indigo pigment, like those seen on Ibeji dolls, rings the popping eyes, fills in the incised scarification marks on the cheeks and forehead, and, most strikingly, covers the hair. Kaolin creates the white pigment. A small nose and articulated mouth complete the face. The edges are ringed by perforations so that the piece could be sewn onto a wider costume. Size: 7.75" W x 10" H (19.7 cm x 25.4 cm)
The Yoruba peoples live in modern day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in Yorubaland and are known for their distinctive masks, which are worn atop the head at festivals honoring the women of the community.
Provenance: the late Nick Poolos collection, Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired before 1970
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#128477
West Africa, Yoruba peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A fine example of one of the most distinctive forms of West African masks: a helmet Gelede mask, made to be worn by men and to portray a range of male and female characters. It shows a face topped by a rounded coiffure. Kaolin mixed with soil gives it the dark color; brilliant indigo pigment, like those seen on Ibeji dolls, rings the popping eyes, fills in the incised scarification marks on the cheeks and forehead, and, most strikingly, covers the hair. Kaolin creates the white pigment. A small nose and articulated mouth complete the face. The edges are ringed by perforations so that the piece could be sewn onto a wider costume. Size: 7.75" W x 10" H (19.7 cm x 25.4 cm)
The Yoruba peoples live in modern day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in Yorubaland and are known for their distinctive masks, which are worn atop the head at festivals honoring the women of the community.
Provenance: the late Nick Poolos collection, Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired before 1970
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#128477
Condition
Side of head has been repaired, but repairs are well done and difficult to see. Areas of cracking on wooden surface. Small loss to coiffure on front. Light staining on surface and small losses to wood around edges.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Early 20th C. African Yoruba Gelede Wooden Helmet Mask
Estimate $300 - $450
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