This item is offered without a stand. It can stand on its own.
Masks like these are also called Gelede. That is a name that refers to both the mask and the ceremony in which the mask is used. The Yoruba, a people group from southwestern Nigeria, use this mask as part of their costume during the Gelede ceremony. The ceremony is dedicated to the veneration of the primordial mother Iya Wa (also known as Iyà Nlà). In addition, the ceremony also honors women and mothers in a broader sense for their powerful role in the community. Values such as respect for the elderly are also central during this ceremony. It is intended to promote social cohesion and resolve conflicts.
Articulated masks are usually very colorful. They include characteristic elements such as the large, bulging eyes and a large, symbolic headdress. The headdress can refer to animals or people, or have a more abstract form. The masks also contain scarification on the cheeks.
The mask is made of wood and shows signs of age and use. For example, there is a burn mark visible near the eye and there are small cracks in the wood. Furthermore, it contains a patina with a soft shine, especially visible on the nose, cheeks and eyebrows.
