Zemanek-Münster

Mask "gelede" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3032399

sold EUR 900
Size
H: 33,5 cm
H: 13.2 inch

Description

wood, black paint, white pigment, curious coiffure: a half-shaved head with a thick horn-shaped lobe on the parting, slightly dam., minor missing parts, rep. (metal clamps);
representing a royal messenger “ilari”, who can be identified by the half-shaven head. “Ilari” were eunuch slaves of the king of Oyo and acted not only as messengers but also as bodyguards, administrators and tax collectors.


The object Mask “gelede” with the object ID 3032399 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 389 achieved a sales price of EUR 900.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.


Comparing literature

Witte, Hans, A Closer Look, Berg en Dal 2004, p. 14


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