Old African Geleda Head- or Helm mask from the Yoruba, Nigeria.

Carved from a single piece of wood, with color pigments.

Height: 25 cm x 25 cm. This mask is collected in 1960s

This Gelede wooden headdress is carved from a single piece of light wood. The human face appears to represents a male. It is carved with the classical Yoruba facial features: heavy eyelids, bulgy almond-shaped eyes, flared nose and compressed full lips. The pupils and nostrils are roughly pierced with circular holes. Three scarification lines are incised on the forehead and both cheeks. They are stained in black. These scarification lines are called pele, which many communities in south-western Yorubaland regard as ‘gems’ on the human face. The ears are shaped like question marks. Overall, the facial features exemplify supremacy, rigour and calm. 

This Gelede mask comes from the Yoruba who live along the boundary between southwestern Nigeria and present-day Benin (Dahomey). The Gelede form is clear here: the downward-facing gaze and subtle scarification on the cheeks accompanied by the round forehead.  Gelede masks are often decorated with animals or other motifs on top.The Yoruba are known to apply colorful pigments to their facial features, too. 

Among the Yoruba Gelede masks dance of the ‘mothers’, good witches who propitiate and control the power of the ‘bad’ witches who fly at night causing human misfortune, illness, and death. When Gelede appears, they dance in pairs in a tightly structured and complexly choreographed dance accompanied by singing and drumming. Most ‘witch-catching’ Gelede masks are carved from a single piece of wood to be worn on the top of the head over the forehead with a multicolored costume made up of numerous panels of brightly colored cloth completely covering the body from head to foot. The panels of cloth will flare outwards while being danced giving the dancer a dynamic appearance. Gelede performances may extend over several days with different dance forms and movements. When performing the masks dance as a coordinated pair often with mirror-like movements during an athletic and vigorous dance that often interacts with the audience. Their energetic dance steps will often kick up the dust so that they appear to float above the earth and the anklet bells that they wear reinforce the rhythm of the music. Gelede masks will also reflect local traditions of facial marking and symbolic headdresses whereas this example brings to mind the beautiful and classic sculpted heads of ancient Ife

A SUMMARY OF OUR AFRICA-GALLERY SELLING POLICIES.

Our Africa-gallery specialized in Ethiopian tribal art, collected and sell tribal used art from all over Africa and special from Ethiopia.

Our Gallery have a collection of authentic, original and traditional art from Africa. This collection including masks, statues, pottery, musical instruments, manuscripts, headrests and other antique, primitive art and various unusual items.

I hardly ever buy direct from Africa. All my items that I sell are old and (tribal) used. My objects come from European and American private collections, auction houses, fellow dealers and other collectors from around the world.

This site gives you an impression of our stock and activities. Authentic, museum quality African tribal art at wholesale prices

We strive to provide deeper public appreciation for high quality African art and to make it accessible to all collectors.

High quality masks, carvings, statues, fetishes, animal figures, ritual objects and bronzes displayed here will add beauty to any home and value to any collection.

In addition, an ever-growing demand for rapidly disappearing original African tribal art makes it a sound investment.

As long-time experienced collectors, we carefully select and authenticate every artifact. Shown here are original, high quality, hand-crafted pieces made of wood or bronze which can be yours at a fraction of gallery prices! Years of traditional use added distinction to many of them.

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