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African Yoruba Gelede Mask – Early 20th Century browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:African:Sculpture: Pre 1920: item # 594864
Ichiban Japanese & Oriental Antiques Post Office Box 395 Marion, CT 06444-0395 203.272.7392 Guest Book $325.00 |
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| A very fine and well patinated African mask from the Yoruba tribe. The mask dates from approximately 1900-1920 and has almost certainly used in tribal dances. It measures 9 1/2" high and is 5 1/4" wide at its widest and 2" thick at the thickest part. Very good condition appropriate its age. Yoruba masks are worn by a traditional healer to drive evil spirits from the possessed person. The arts of the Yoruba are numerous in form. This darkly colored male Gelede mask is used by the Yoruba who live along the boundary between southwestern Nigeria and present day Benin (Dahomey). Among the Yoruba, Gelede masks dance to propitiate and control the power of witches who fly at night causing human misfortune, illness, and death. When Gelede appear, they dance in pairs in a tightly structured and complexly choreographed dance accompanied by singing and drumming. Most Gelede masks are worn on the top of the head over the forehead such as this on the face with a multi-colored costume made up of numerous panels of brightly colored cloth completely covering the body from head to foot. | |||||||||
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