This is the rating and price for Mid-20Th C. Yoruba Painted Wood Gelede Helmet Mask

Description : West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A fine example of a hand-carved wooden helmet mask, one of the most distinctive forms of West African masks. The helmet mask is made to be worn by men and to portray a range of male and female characters. This mask shows a white kaolin-painted face presented with raised almond-shaped eyes and drilled pupils, a broad nose with carved nostrils, thin lips, spiralized ears, and a trio of cobalt-hued ritual scarification marks across each cheek. The striated coiffure is topped with an elongated, drum-shaped finial. The edges are ringed by perforations so that the mask could be sewn to a wider costume. Size: 7.7 W x 8.375 H (19.6 cm x 21.3 cm). Gelede performances entertain and educate, their narratives and movements usually representing Yoruban ideals of male and female conduct as well as documenting interesting elements of everyday life, such as this transgression act. For the Yoruba people, Gelede masquerades are a means of celebrating and recognizing the importance of females to their society, as the Gelede society whose purpose is the maintain peace is devoted to the mother of all orishas (deities), Yemoja, who represents motherhood, family, sexuality, nurturing, and protection, and is viewed as the matriarchal head of the universe. Provenance: ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA acquired prior to 1970 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #142426
Price: 498.00 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 500 USD-800 USD It's free to register now to view!

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