Gelede ceremonial mask - Yoruba / Yoruba
03
days
15
hours
55
minutes
37
seconds
Current bid
€ 20
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
 | €20 | |
|---|---|---|
| €15 | |
| €10 | |
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The wooden Yoruba ceremonial Gelede mask, titled “Masque de cérémonie « guélédé»”, is from Nigeria and is in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Nigeria
Yoruba
Helmet / helm mask
Height: 180mm
Width: 195mm
Length: 26mm
Origin: The Gelede Yoruba Mask
This type of mask is part of the famous Gelede masquerades, practiced by the Yoruba communities (notably in southwestern Nigeria and the border regions of Benin).
Several typical criteria of Gelede art stand out:
• The structure and wear of the mask: The Gelede mask is designed as a horizontal helmet or cap that sits obliquely on the forehead and the crown of the dancer’s head, who looks through a fabric veil fixed under the edge. Regular perforations around the entire rear perimeter precisely allow sewing this protective costume.
• The stylized naturalism of the features: One finds the large almond-shaped eyes, very graphic, superbly outlined in black, characteristic of Yoruba aesthetics.
• Facial scarification: The three small parallel incisions on each cheek (the pele) are the classic identity and clan affiliation mark among the Yoruba.
• The headdress and the burden: The top part of the skull receives a crafted headdress. In Gelede masquerades, this section is often topped with a superstructure (animals, scenes of daily life, figures) representing the role or the satirical message of the mask. Here, the bejeweled diadem and the small central crest stylize an adornment or a dignitary attribute.
Usage and Function
The Gelede masquerade is an artistic and spiritual homage to the power of women, particularly elderly women, female ancestors, and mother deities, collectively called Awon Iya Wa (“Our Mothers”).
• To appease and honor feminine power: The primary aim of Gelede is to win the favor of these “mothers” who possess immense spiritual power (associated with fertility, life, and witchcraft), in order to ensure peace, prosperity, and the community’s fertility.
• Entertainment and social education: Gelede performances are major festive and theatrical events. Worn exclusively by men dressed as women, these masks dance in couples during annual festivals or the funerals of notable people. Modern vivid polychromy serves to capture the audience’s attention, to mock human behavior, celebrate professions, or educate society through satire.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.
We speak english
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateNigeria
Yoruba
Helmet / helm mask
Height: 180mm
Width: 195mm
Length: 26mm
Origin: The Gelede Yoruba Mask
This type of mask is part of the famous Gelede masquerades, practiced by the Yoruba communities (notably in southwestern Nigeria and the border regions of Benin).
Several typical criteria of Gelede art stand out:
• The structure and wear of the mask: The Gelede mask is designed as a horizontal helmet or cap that sits obliquely on the forehead and the crown of the dancer’s head, who looks through a fabric veil fixed under the edge. Regular perforations around the entire rear perimeter precisely allow sewing this protective costume.
• The stylized naturalism of the features: One finds the large almond-shaped eyes, very graphic, superbly outlined in black, characteristic of Yoruba aesthetics.
• Facial scarification: The three small parallel incisions on each cheek (the pele) are the classic identity and clan affiliation mark among the Yoruba.
• The headdress and the burden: The top part of the skull receives a crafted headdress. In Gelede masquerades, this section is often topped with a superstructure (animals, scenes of daily life, figures) representing the role or the satirical message of the mask. Here, the bejeweled diadem and the small central crest stylize an adornment or a dignitary attribute.
Usage and Function
The Gelede masquerade is an artistic and spiritual homage to the power of women, particularly elderly women, female ancestors, and mother deities, collectively called Awon Iya Wa (“Our Mothers”).
• To appease and honor feminine power: The primary aim of Gelede is to win the favor of these “mothers” who possess immense spiritual power (associated with fertility, life, and witchcraft), in order to ensure peace, prosperity, and the community’s fertility.
• Entertainment and social education: Gelede performances are major festive and theatrical events. Worn exclusively by men dressed as women, these masks dance in couples during annual festivals or the funerals of notable people. Modern vivid polychromy serves to capture the audience’s attention, to mock human behavior, celebrate professions, or educate society through satire.
Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.
We speak english
Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Ethnic group/ culture
Yoruba / Yoruba
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Gelede ceremonial mask
Sold by
