Headdress "gelede" · Nigeria, Yoruba, Ketu, Samuel Laroye of Meko · ID: 3049095

Name: Headdress "gelede"
SKU: 3049095
Price: 950 EUR
Availability: SoldOut

sold EUR 950

Provenance

Ursula Heijs-Voorhuis, Sint Agatha, The Netherlands

Size

H: 46 cm

H: 18.1 inch

Description

wood, colour pigments, old place of repair

Fascinating object with sweeping headdress of beautifully curved bands ending in massive tassels framing the face.

Regarding the figural superstructure, Hans Witte remarked: “the superstructure seems to commemorate the coronation of an English king. The crown held by heraldic leopards imitates a european coat of arms”.

Meko (Imeko), a small town in Nigeria near the border with Benin, was an important center of woodcarving. Among the best known masters of Meko are the famous Duga (ca. 1880-1960) and his rival Mosudi Olatunji. Another well-known sculptor from Meko is Samuel Laroye, to whom the present headdress can be attributed. Another work by the artist published in Lawal,1996, p. 277, ill. 8.5.