Magnificent Yoruba helmet - in the future - Nigeria (No reserve price)

The Gelede masks are emblematic cultural artifacts of the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, particularly venerated for their role in festivals and social rituals. These masks are carved in wood and painted in bright colors, often representing human faces with varied expressions and elaborate hairstyles. They are worn during the Gelede ceremonies, which honor and celebrate 'the mothers', i.e., 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 obtain the blessings of the feminine 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.