Mask "gelede" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3035467
sold
EUR 600
Provenance
René Gardi, Bern, Switzerland (1963)Hugo Wetli, Bern, Switzerland (1973)
Swiss Private Collection
Size
H: 51 cm
H: 20.1 inch
Description
light wood, small remains of kaolin and indigo blue pigment, helmet-shaped, characteristic facial features with rich scarification marks, a head tie floats around the head with a protea blossom rising in the middle, min. dam., missing parts through isnect caused damage (lower rim, blossom), cracks, paint rubbed off;
reminding of female food hawkers, which is one of the most popular themes on “gelede” headdresses. Aside of the traditional headdress they used to wear bananas, palmnuts etc. on their head.
Comparing literature
Lawal, Babatunde, The Gèlèdé Spectacle, Seattle, London 1996, p. 210