Lot A86 - Yoruba Gelede Headdress (Ere Gelede)

Yoruba Gelede Headdress (Ere Gelede)

Yoruba people, Nigeria

Height: 33 cm

Carved wooden headdress representing an idealized female face with full cheeks, almond-shaped eyes and delicately modeled lips. The coiffure is arranged in carefully carved braided ridges, originally highlighted with dark pigment. Traces of polychromy remain, including black detailing of the eyebrows and hair, white around the eyes, and red on the lips.

This type of headdress (ere gelede) is worn during Gelede performances, which honor and celebrate the spiritual power of women—especially mothers and female ancestors—within Yoruba society.

Fine, smooth patina with visible wear consistent with age and use.