Yoruba Helmet Mask Gelede with Custom Stand Nigeria African Art

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Yoruba Helmet Mask Gelede with Custom Stand Nigeria African Art:
$2200.00

TitleYoruba Helmet Mask Gelede with Custom Stand Nigeria AfricaType of ObjectHelmet maskCountry of OriginNigeriaPeopleYorubaMaterialsWood, pigment, paint, encrustation, cotton cloth, vegetal fibersApproximate AgeEarly to mid 20th centuryOther DimensionsMask: 17.5 inches tall x 11.5 inches wide x 12.5 inches deep. 27.5 inches tall on standOverall Conditionfair. 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/Repairlarge old crack in one side with indigenous repairs, shallow cracks and chips in places, encrustation flaking, old insect damage arrested, cloth with tears.

Additional Information: This helmet mask made of hard wood is surmounted by two female figures holding a bowl and a snake in between the two females with its head on the bowl. The mask was painted several times and the patina is flaking in places. The face of the mask as well as hese of the two figures are carved according to the Yoruba stylistic code. There is no indication of the mouth, nose and eyes. The dancer sees through the hood made from cotton threads and attached to the mask with nails. This helmet mask with its parrot to the top is a significant holding in the arts of the Yoruba of Nigeria to a collection. This mask is in good condition with the cotton hood still attached; Otherwise the crack to the head.The Yoruba have produced a number of mask types serving major masking associations including the Gelede society. Various forms of animals carved on Gelede masks are known among the Yoruba serving as major symbols appearing during festivals.

Gelede masks are danced by the Yoruba who live along the boundary between southwestern Nigeria and present day Benin (Dahomey). Though Gelede masks in the main portray humans, primarily women, there are a number that depict animals of various kinds . Among the Yoruba Gelede masks dance of the ‘mothers’, good witches who propitiate and control the power of the ‘bad’ witches who fly at night causing human misfortune, illness, and death. During other ceremonies when Gelede dance they can represent ideal virtues such as courage, royal actions or manliness. When Gelede appear, they dance in pairs in a tightly structured and complexly choreographed dance accompanied by singing and drumming. Most ‘witch-catching’ 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.

Recommended Reading: Drewal, H. J. and M. T., Gelede, Art and Female Power among the Yoruba. 1983.

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

**98080**

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

Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.

Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on since 1997 and has received more than 51,000 positive responses. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with \'s Hall of Fame award, and by Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity sales.

Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!

Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.

Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You\'re welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you\'re returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we\'ll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we\'ll refund the credit card.

Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order.

When you\'re ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we\'ll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card.

U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage.

International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request.

Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer\'s responsibility. Please check with your country\'s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to offerding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as \"gifts\"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.

Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter

Go to Africa Direct Store