Yoruba, Nigeria: an old mask of the ‘Gelede’ type, with turban and goatee.
Amongst the Yoruba in Southwest Nigeria and in the neighbouring state of Benin (formerly Dahomey), there exists a ‘Gelede cult’ to honour women, mothers and general fertility. In this cult, male dancers dance in pairs in colourful costumes, in annual large-scale processions. ‘Gelede masks’ are not worn on the face, but on the head. The dancers look out under the edge of the mask. The present ‘Gelede mask’ is carved in lightweight wood and dyed black and reddish-brown. The face displays on the forehead and cheeks typical tribal scarification marks and two rows of teeth in the open mouth. The turban, the eyes, ears and the relief-decorated goatee are black. A break is detectable on the right side of the head. Otherwise there is no significant damage. A typical piece with shiny usage patina at front and back (inside).
Height: 33 cm; width: 19 cm.
First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian private collection.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
20.02.2017 - 14:00
- Prezzo di partenza:
-
EUR 2.000,-
Yoruba, Nigeria: an old mask of the ‘Gelede’ type, with turban and goatee.
Amongst the Yoruba in Southwest Nigeria and in the neighbouring state of Benin (formerly Dahomey), there exists a ‘Gelede cult’ to honour women, mothers and general fertility. In this cult, male dancers dance in pairs in colourful costumes, in annual large-scale processions. ‘Gelede masks’ are not worn on the face, but on the head. The dancers look out under the edge of the mask. The present ‘Gelede mask’ is carved in lightweight wood and dyed black and reddish-brown. The face displays on the forehead and cheeks typical tribal scarification marks and two rows of teeth in the open mouth. The turban, the eyes, ears and the relief-decorated goatee are black. A break is detectable on the right side of the head. Otherwise there is no significant damage. A typical piece with shiny usage patina at front and back (inside).
Height: 33 cm; width: 19 cm.
First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian private collection.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 20.02.2017 - 14:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 11.02. - 20.02.2017 |