Yoruba Gelede Mask with Bird Nigeria Africa
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Yoruba Gelede Mask with Bird Nigeria Africa:
$99.00
TitleYoruba Gelede Mask with Bird Nigeria AfricaCountry of OriginNigeriaPeopleYorubaMaterialswood, pigmentApproximate Age20th centuryDimensions11.5 inches H. x 7.5 inches W. 8.5 inches D.Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.  Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/RepairSmall chips and scuffs; see pictures for detail.
Additional Information: A beautiful Gelede mask with scarification patterns and a bird on the top of the head. The intricate hairstyle suggests that this mask represents a female.
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.
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Yoruba Gelede Mask with Bird Nigeria Africa:
$99.00