Yoruba Gelede Mask Figures on Top Nigeria African SALE WAS $275

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Yoruba Gelede Mask Figures on Top Nigeria African SALE WAS $275:
$75.00

TitleYoruba Gelede Mask with Sitting Couple on Top Nigeria AfricanType of ObjectMask Country of OriginNigeriaPeopleYorubaMaterialswood, pigmentApproximate Agemid/second half 20th centuryDimensions14 inches H. x 8.75 inches W. Overall ConditionGood. Most ofÂ our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Â Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.Â We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.Â Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/Repairflaking patina in small places, chippes ears and toes

Additional Information:

This interesting mask with superstructure of sitting couple figures belongs to the category of Gelede mask danced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The surface shows that the mask has been painted several times. It also demonstrates some age and extensive use. It is unclear if the mask was worn on the face or on the head as there is no indication of eyes. The male figure is shown holding a container in each hand. The female lifts her breasts, in a gesture commonly found on Yoruba sculpture.

Among the Yoruba Gelede masks dance of the âmothersâ, good witches who propitiate and control the power of the âbadâ witches who fly at night causing human misfortune, illness, and death. When Gelede appear, they dance in pairs in a tightly structured and complexly choreographed dance accompanied by singing and drumming. Most âwitch-catchingâ Gelede masks are carved from a single piece of wood to be worn on the top of the head over the forehead with a multi-colored costume made up of numerous panels of brightly colored cloth completely covering the body from head to foot. The panels of cloth will flare outwards while being danced giving the dancer a dynamic appearance. Gelede performances may extend over a number of days with different dance forms and movements. When performing the masks dance as a coordinated pair often with mirror-like movements during in an athletic and vigorous dance that often interacts with the audience. Their energetic dance steps will often kick up the dust so that they appear to float above the earth and the anklet bells that they wear reinforce the rhythm of the music. Gelede masks will also reflect local traditions of facial marking and symbolic headdress whereas this example brings to mind the beautiful and classic sculpted heads of ancient Ife.

Recommended Reading:

Drewal , H. J. and J. Pemberton III, with R. Abiodun Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought, (New York, 1989)

Drewal, H. J. and M. Thompson Drewal., Gelede, Art and Female Power among the Yoruba. 1983.

Fagg, W. and J. Pemberton III: Yoruba Sculpture of West Africa, (New York, 1982)

Lawal, B.: The Gelede Spectacle. Art, Gender, and Social Harmony in an African Culture. (Seattle, London 1996)

Mato, D., Chelsea Cooksey, Yoruba: Art of Life. The Bennett-Luther Collection, Denver 2004

Witte, H.: A Closer Look; Local Styles in the Yoruba Art Collection of the Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal. 2004.

I have examined this piece and agree with he description.
Niangi Batulukisi, PhD.

**73409**

All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006

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