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sculpture of a woman ' s head with a snake on top of her headsculpture of a head with a goat on top of it on a black backgrounda statue of a man with a hat on top of his headan image of a statue of a ram on top of a skulla statue of a man riding a horse on top of a rockan image of a close up of a sculpture of a dog ' s head on top of a rock
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
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Description
GELEDE Dance headdress. 20th century. Height: 40 cm. Hardwood, crusty patina, traces of red pigment on the lips. Dance headdress, surmounted by a bird holding a snake in its beak, from the Gelede society (Yoruba – Nigeria/Benin). The head and the snake are covered with a thick, crusty patina. Provenance: Pierre Redouin Collection. Description: This type of mask is always worn by a man and used in masquerades dedicated to women in their maternal role. For the Yoruba, women’s power is ambivalent: beneficial when a woman expresses her maternal qualities, it can also prove malevolent when wielded by witches! The vital energy contained within every being can, in fact, become exceptionally powerful in certain women, to the point where it threatens social harmony. Only the collective power of the ancestors can, in such cases, control those whom the Yoruba call ‘our mothers’. The Gelede masquerades therefore aim to restore social harmony by ‘appeasing’ the feminine aspect of society. They are preceded by grand night-time ceremonies, the Efe, during which people are free to speak their minds. The Gelede tradition appears to be very ancient. It was brought by slaves to the New World (Cuba), where it is documented in the 19th century.
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About the sale The Breath of the Spirits: The Collection of Pierre Redouin and Others
Auction location
Auction time 09/24/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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