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a close up of a statue of a person on a chairan image of a wooden sculpture with a cat on top of ita wooden sculpture of two elephants on a pedestal with a black backgroundan image of a wooden sculpture of a horse on top of a towera close up of a statue of a horse on a pedestal
MILLON

28 - Gèlèdé crest mask featuring an architectural structure remin…
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Estimate €600 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Gèlèdé crest mask featuring an architectural structure reminiscent of an altar supported by several legs, surmounted by a horse firmly holding a snake in its mouth. The circular base, carefully carved, rests on columns adorned with intricate incised geometric decoration. A snake coils around the top plate, lending the whole piece a symbolic dynamism and remarkable narrative power. Wood with traces of indigo and white pigments, an old brown patina and signs of wear. Yoruba, Nigeria. 39 × 18 cm Provenance: Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert Collection, Paris. (According to its former owners, the qualities of this mask were praised by the renowned expert and dealer Charles Ratton, who is said to have had the opportunity to examine it.) Among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Gèlèdé masks are used in ritual ceremonies dedicated to the Mothers (awon iya wa), influential spiritual figures associated with the forces of nature and the protection of the community. Worn on the crown of the head during ritual dances, these masks illustrate stories and teachings intended to convey social and spiritual values. Unlike more traditional human-faced representations, this example features elaborate iconography, combining animal and architectural motifs that highlight its exceptional nature. The carved altar and the horse holding a snake reinforce the symbolism of power and wisdom, fundamental elements of the Gèlèdé cult.
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About the sale Journey Across the Continents (sale without live performance)
Auction location
Auction time 09/10/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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