YORUBA STYLE GELEDE HEADDRESS 34

Despite its appearance this Gelede mask was probably made to be sold.

There is a large hole and damage on the back left (see images above).

Gelede, a male association, uses the aesthetic power of sculpture, costume, song and dance to placate and please women, who have special spiritual power. Often with elaborate superstructures, the headdresses appear as identical pairs in the dances.