Yoruba Gelede Masquerade Crest Headpiece Carved Wood Nigeria African Art

Description

View Yoruba Gelede Masquerade Crest Headpiece Carved Wood Nigeria African Art with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. ARTIFACT ANALYSIS & GELEDE HALLMARKS. Idealized Female Face: The face is carved in a serene, placid style with a slight, classic Yoruba smile, embodying the ideal of innercomposure (ìtútù ). This sculpture embodies the essential characteristics of a high-quality Gelede mask, representing an idealized female. Old, Danced Sculpture with Original Polychrome Pigment & Openwork Superstructure (Nigeria/Benin) This is a vibrant and highly collectible  vintage Yoruba Gelede mask crest , a complete headpiece component from a traditional masquerade performance. The Gelede tradition is celebrated for honoring the powerful spiritual energy of women ( Iya Nla  or Great Mother) and promoting social harmony. This piece is rich with character, displaying a mix of contrasting colors and a profound patina from years of ritual use in ceremonies along the Nigeria/Benin border. Measuring  8 x 8 x 7 inches , it is a spectacular ethnographic sculpture. ARTIFACT ANALYSIS & GELEDE HALLMARKS This sculpture embodies the essential characteristics of a high-quality Gelede mask, representing an idealized female: Idealized Female Face:  The face is carved in a serene, placid style with a slight, classic Yoruba smile, embodying the ideal of inner  composure ( ìtútù ) . The Gelede headdress is worn by male dancers who imitate the movements of women. The Crest/Superstructure:  The entire upper section, including the face and surrounding ornamentation, forms the  carved crest  that would have been secured to a basketry cap on the dancer's head. The prominent  semi-circular openwork structure  with horizontal grooves is a classic decorative element, symbolizing status and prestige. Polychrome Pigmentation:  The piece retains striking, old pigment: The face is painted in a highly recognizable distressed  yellow ochre  (or earth tone), often used to represent beauty and spiritual presence. Incised lines defining the cheeks and around the eyes retain traces of  green pigment , contrasting with the dark black used for the eyebrows and mouth. Patina of Use:  The wood beneath the paint is heavily darkened and worn. The visible chipping and flaking of the pigment layers provide  authentic evidence of a danced mask  used repeatedly in vigorous outdoor rituals over many decades. ITEM DETAILS Culture:   Yoruba People  (Nigeria/Benin, West Africa). Type:   Gelede Masquerade Crest/Headpiece . Medium:  Hand-carved Wood with Polychrome Pigments (Yellow, Green, Red, Black). Dimensions (Approximate): Height:  8 inches Width:  8 inches Depth:  7 inches Condition:   Danced, Antique/Vintage Condition.  Exhibits significant, authentic pigment loss and natural wear consistent with ceremonial use. Display Note:  The mask is shown on a stand for photography;  THE STAND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE . This vibrant crest offers a direct and powerful connection to the visually spectacular masking traditions of the Yoruba Gelede society. Condition: Used. Category: Collectibles › Cultures & Ethnicities › African › 1900-Now › Figures & Sculptures.

Provenance

Ownership History Not Available

Country of Origin

Nigeria

Culture

Yoruba

Handmade

Yes