YORUBA, NIGERIA
WOOD, HEIGHT 30CM
Gelede is the name for elaborate masquerade performances by men, mainly in the southwestern parts of Yorubaland. This very old mask was partly broken and had been fixed in the traditional way with metal clamps, preventing the mask from splitting apart. There is also an opening gap at the top where probably an additional feature was formerly attached. A very powerful piece, one of my favourite masks. All the detailed features reveal an important spirit from the past.