Masque Gelede Yorouba, (Kétou), Democratic Republic of Congo - Lot 5

Masque Gelede Yorouba, (Kétou), Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, reddish brown patina, black paint, indigo blue and white pigments. Height: 28.5 cm Provenance: Collected in situ in 1970 old collection label number 7893B -- Masque Gelede Yorouba, (Kétou), Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, reddish brown patina, black paint, indigo blue and white pigments. Height: 28.5 cm Provenance: Collected in situ in 1970 old collection label number 7893B Carved in the pure Yoruba tradition, this fine example of a Gelede mask embodies, through the elegance of its features and the serenity of its expression, the iwa - the deep, intimate essence of each being - and the ashe or ase authority, revealing the subtle but fundamental importance of women in society, bearers of a "metaphysical power that cannot easily be measured in physical terms". (Babatunde Lawal, 1996) In south-western Yoruba territory, these striking sculptural tributes are part of ceremonies and masked performances celebrating the community's female figures, "our mothers" (awon iya wa), whether living, ancestors or divinities. Each year, a festival in honor of Ìyá Nlá, the supreme Mother of the supernatural orishas in the Yoruba pantheon, gives rise to the largest Gèlèdé ceremony, although these events can take place at any time. The event is divided into two parts: a night-time performance featuring the satirical mask Efè, combining humor, poetry and song, followed by a dance session in the afternoon. This ritual is as much about entertainment as it is about ensuring collective harmony, notably by invoking the most powerful women (àjé), urging them to use their influence for the good of the community. The head, whose overall structure evokes a half-sphere, offers a face with full, rounded volumes. A concern for naturalism is evident in the detailed treatment of the ears, the nose with its curved nostrils, and the mouth with its lips stretched forward. The reddish-brown patina, with its brightness and softness, reinforces the realism of the composition. The face is dominated by a deep gaze, whose expressiveness is accentuated by the pierced pupils - designed not to offer visibility to the dancer, as the mask is worn over the skull, but to reveal the intensity of inner power and mysterious feminine power. The indigo-blue pigment residue inside the eyes testifies to both aesthetic and spiritual intent. In Yoruba color symbolism, the indigo blue èlú, ofefe, evokes water and freshness. It is invested with a soothing power, destined to preserve divine harmony. Blue is associated with the water goddess Yemoja, one of the manifestations of Ìyá Nlá, whose identity varies according to local traditions. The triple foliated scarification marks, characteristic of the corpus, show a subtle variation on the cheeks, with an original fan-shaped arrangement. The headdress features a structure reminiscent of a wide band or diadem, enveloping a finely crafted braided headdress, raised into a central crest. The sculptural expression of the union between physical beauty and internalized power is manifest in the complexity of these headdresses, revealing the ashe inherent in every woman in Yoruba society. An old collection number is inscribed: "7893B". Carved in the pure Yoruba tradition, this beautiful example of a Gèlèdé mask embodies, through the elegance of its features and the serenity of its expression, the iwa-the deep and intimate essence of each being-and the authority of ashe or ase, revealing the subtle yet fundamental importance of women in society as bearers of a "metaphysical power that is not easily measured in physical terms." (Babatunde Lawal, 1996) These striking sculptural tributes occur in the southwestern Yoruba territory during ceremonies and masked performances celebrating the female figures of the community, "our mothers" (awon iya wa), whether living, ancestral, or divine. Every year, a festival in honor of Ìyá Nlá, the Supreme Mother of the supernatural orisha entities in the Yoruba pantheon, culminates in the largest Gèlèdé ceremony, although these events can take place at any time. The event unfolds in two parts: a nocturnal performance marked by the intervention of the satirical mask Efè, blending humor, poetry, and songs, followed by an afternoon dance session. This ritual serves both to entertain and to ensure collective harmony, particularly by making invocations to the most powerful women (àjé), urging them to use their influence for the good of the community. The head, with its overall structure resembling