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West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A fine example of one of the most distinctive forms of West African masks. This is a helmet Gelede mask, made to be worn by men and to portray a range of male and female characters. It shows a face topped by an enormous cone of carved hair. Kaolin mixed with soil gives it the dark color; deep indigo pigment, like those seen on Ibeji dolls, covers the face. A wide nose and pouting mouth complete the face; there are also large carved ears that look like they may belong to an antelope and incised decorations under the eyes and on the forehead that may be tattooing or deliberate facial scarring. The Yoruba peoples live in modern day Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in Yorubaland and are known for their distinctive masks. Size: 7″ W x 13.85″ H (17.8 cm x 35.2 cm)
Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age, with small chips, surface cracks, and nicks. Pigment in nice remaining condition as shown.
Provenance: ex Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970
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