Helmet - Yoruba - Nigeria (No reserve price)

The Gelede masks are iconic cultural artifacts of the Yoruba tribe from Nigeria, particularly revered for their role in festivals and social rituals. These masks are carved from wood and painted in bright colors, often depicting human faces with varied expressions and elaborate hairstyles. They are worn during Gelede ceremonies, which honor and celebrate 'the mothers,' that is, the feminine forces of society, including ancestors and deities.

The Gelede festival is an occasion to pay tribute to the community's fertility, health, and prosperity. The dances and masked performances, often accompanied by music and singing, aim to appease and seek the blessings of the female spirits for the well-being of society. The Gelede masks, both aesthetic and symbolic, embody important values such as respect, social harmony, and the spiritual power of women in Yoruba culture.