**Originally Listed At $800**

Western Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A large helmet mask, comprised of several textile swaths sewn together and reinforced along the rim, meant to be worn atop one's head rather than over the face. The exterior displays a meticulously-arranged display of four abstract anthropomorphic faces, four stylized abstract avian figures, and an upper avian-form finial atop a slender wooden stake, all brought forth using thousands of multi-colored seed beads in hues of crimson, emerald, sapphire, citrine, pearl, jet, topaz, amethyst, and coral. Headwear like this example, known as an "ade oba" (or adenla), were used primarily as the crown for the reigning king to symbolize his wealth, power, influence, and responsibility over those he governed. Comes with museum-quality display stand. Size: 12.75" H (32.4 cm); 22.5" H (57.2 cm) on included custom stand.

The “ade oba” (or king’s beaded crown) is the quintessential symbol of kingship within the Yoruba culture. Beads like those used on these masks were not made by the Yoruba peoples but rather imported from the British Isles. Such seed beads exhibiting a blue hue, like those seen on this mask, were highly-prized because such sapphire colors were not found in naturally-occurring substances.

This type of kingly helmet mask was meant to depersonalize the individual wearing the crown and instead emphasize his official position. The smaller masks around the helmet symbolize the many roles the king must embody when carrying out his duties, and the birds flanking each face represent his connection to the natural world and not just the society he presides over.

Provenance: private Eason Eige collection, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

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#131192

Age-commensurate surface wear, light discoloration and fading to bead colors, with some loosening to stitches, otherwise intact and near-choice. Light earthen deposits on some beads. Avian finial is removable.