Headdress (Igi Gelede)

Description

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.

Provenance

Unknown owner (possibly named Perren), France, by the early 1980s; sold to Herbert Baker (died 2001), Chicago and Los Angeles, Calif., about 1980; sold to Neal Ball, by 1983; given to the Art Institute, 2008.

Headdress (Igi Gelede)

Fagbite Asamu

Mid- to late 20th century

Accession Number

120818

Medium

Wood and pigment

Dimensions

44.5 × 44.5 × 47 cm (17 1/2 × 17 1/2 × 18 1/2 in.)

Classification

masks

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Neal Ball