Incomplete Geledé mask - Yoruba - Nigeria

This very ancient Geledé mask is missing its upper section, which may have resembled the
one in the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren. The head, which is very rounded and
somewhat plump, has an open mouth—a rather unusual feature—revealing its teeth. The eyes, set
in sunken sockets, are almond-shaped, with a central round hole, and the ears are detailed
and finely drawn. Instead of scarification, it has motifs painted in red and black on the
chin, cheeks, temples and forehead, all set against a beautiful dark brown patina.

Provenance: Galería Brok, Barcelona
Argiles Collection, Barcelona