Gèlèdé Yoruba mask, Nigeria, wood and mineral polychromy

Description

Gèlèdé Yoruba mask, Nigeria (Lagos region) wood and mineral polychromy
W: 14,6 in H: 11 in
Mask from the ritual society Gèlèdé, illustrating the cult of “Mothers”, or witches. The ceremony is made up of two phases, the night dedicated to the representation of the deities and the day dedicated to community celebrations, with diversified representations. This mask can “go out” during the two ceremonies. It illustrates the woman in general. It had to be associated with a costume evoking her exact role. It could represent of priestess. One of the ears was glued.
First half of the 20th century.