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Headdress (Igi Gelede)

A work made of wood and pigment.

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  • A work made of wood and pigment.

Date:

Mid- to late 20th century

Artist:

Fagbite Asamu (active late 19th/mid-20th century) or Falola Edun (active early/mid-20th century)
Yoruba
Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

This dynamic mask of the gelede type depicts two hunters wrestling with a pangolin (or scaly anteater), representing the struggle between civilization and nature, human intelligence and animal force. The figures are shown grabbing the mammal by its back legs but also seem to be losing their balance and giving the pangolin a chance to escape. The dramatic tension of this mask’s upper section presents a sharp contrast to the serene human face below.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Yoruba

Artists

Fagbite Asamu , Falola Edun

Title

Headdress (Igi Gelede)

Places

Nigeria (Object made in), Africa (Object made in)

Date

1900-1950

Medium

Wood and pigment

Dimensions

40 × 36.8 × 48.9 cm (15 3/4 × 14 1/2 × 19 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Neal Ball

Reference Number

2008.176

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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