Skip to main content

Gelede Mask

African Yoruba Painted Gelede Headdress
African Yoruba Painted Gelede Headdress

African Yoruba Painted Gelede Headdress

Located in Chicago, IL

This painted mask was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a tradition known as Gelede.

Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Wood

African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria
African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria

African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria

Located in San Francisco, CA

Blacked wood helmet mask (Gelede), large human head surmounted by a dog eating a snake which curves around the head.

Category

20th Century Nigerian Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

African Tribal Art Fine Yoruba Gelede Mask Headdress interior design decoration
African Tribal Art Fine Yoruba Gelede Mask Headdress interior design decoration

African Tribal Art Fine Yoruba Gelede Mask Headdress interior design decoration

Located in London, GB

A late 19th century Yoruba Gelede mask. A fine example of a male Gelede mask used in the Gelede masquerades, The Gelede masquerade is associated with the recognition of the power of...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Carved and Polychromed Yoruban Gelede Masks
Pair of Carved and Polychromed Yoruban Gelede Masks

Pair of Carved and Polychromed Yoruban Gelede Masks

Located in San Francisco, CA

Mounted on custom metal stands. Masks such as this are worn by pairs of Yoruban men in elaborate masquerade rituals known as “Gelede.”

Category

20th Century Tribal Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Two Gelede Tribe Festival Masks
Two Gelede Tribe Festival Masks

Two Gelede Tribe Festival Masks

Located in Los Angeles, CA

with original kaolin white pigment and typically carved with animals, celebrating the mother; the other carved with swords celebrating a blacksmith or warrior
Ex-collection Ge...

Category

20th Century Masks

Yoruba Body Mask, Nigeria Africa
Yoruba Body Mask, Nigeria Africa

Yoruba Body Mask, Nigeria Africa

Unavailable

H 16.93 in Dm 13.78 in

Yoruba Body Mask, Nigeria Africa

Located in Bern, CH

Hand-carved wooden Yoruba Gelede bund body mask for ritual male dancers, strong colors, Nigeria Africa, 20th century.

Category

Vintage 1970s Nigerian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Tribal Helmet Mask of a French Gendarme
Yoruba Tribal Helmet Mask of a French Gendarme

Yoruba Tribal Helmet Mask of a French Gendarme

Located in Stamford, CT

Gelede helmet mask of a gendarme. Male Yoruba dancers wear gelede masks at festivals honoring the women of the Community.

Category

Mid-20th Century Beninese Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Ancient Yoruba Wooden Mask, Nigeria/Benin
Ancient Yoruba Wooden Mask, Nigeria/Benin

Ancient Yoruba Wooden Mask, Nigeria/Benin

Located in Roma, IT

The Yoruba use three types of masks: the Gelede that are colorful and very expressive; the monumental epa that reach even two meters in height; le egungun, masks that cover the whole...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Tribal Gelede Mask with Ears, Nigeria, Early to Mid-20th Century
Yoruba Tribal Gelede Mask with Ears, Nigeria, Early to Mid-20th Century

Yoruba Tribal Gelede Mask with Ears, Nigeria, Early to Mid-20th Century

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Yoruba tribal Gelede mask with ears, Nigeria, early to mid-20th century.

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Ritual Mask of the Yoruba Gelede Ijebu Two Snakes Mighty Mother Around 1940
Ritual Mask of the Yoruba Gelede Ijebu Two Snakes Mighty Mother Around 1940

Ritual Mask of the Yoruba Gelede Ijebu Two Snakes Mighty Mother Around 1940

Located in Hannover, DE

You could get your hands on a truly one-of-a-kind piece—a Ritual Mask of the Yoruba Gelede Ijebu Two Snakes Mighty Mother from around 1940.

Category

Vintage 1940s Nigerian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Softwood, Paint

Antique Yoruba Gelede Face Mask
Antique Yoruba Gelede Face Mask

Antique Yoruba Gelede Face Mask

Sold

H 24.5 in W 8 in D 9 in

Antique Yoruba Gelede Face Mask

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Antique carved wood African Yoruba Gelede face mask. Mounted on a round plexi and iron stand, Nigeria, circa 1900.

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Paint, Wood

You May Also Like

Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples
Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples

Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples

Located in Forney, TX

A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted b...

Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Raffia, Wood

Very Rare African Dagara Mask Ngbaka People DR Congo Early to Mid 20th Century
Very Rare African Dagara Mask Ngbaka People DR Congo Early to Mid 20th Century

Very Rare African Dagara Mask Ngbaka People DR Congo Early to Mid 20th Century

Located in Meer, VAN

Very rare African Dagara mask Ngbaka people. Africa, Congo, early to mid 20th century A beautiful early to mid 20th century African so called 'Dagara’ mask from the Ngbaka and Mbanj...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Kifwebe Mask with Pigmented Decoration, Songye People
African Kifwebe Mask with Pigmented Decoration, Songye People

African Kifwebe Mask with Pigmented Decoration, Songye People

Located in Nottingham, GB

Among the most iconic sculptural traditions of Central Africa, the Kifwebe masks of the Songye people are celebrated for their striking abstraction and powerful ceremonial presence. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Authentic Nigerian Igbo Mask
Authentic Nigerian Igbo Mask

Authentic Nigerian Igbo Mask

$1,045

H 15 in W 10 in D 16 in

Authentic Nigerian Igbo Mask

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Experience the beauty and authenticity of a 19th Century Nigerian Igbo Mask, a true cultural treasure. This stunning piece features intricate carvings and striking facial features th...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wicker, Wood, Paint

African Baga 'Nimba' Helmet Mask, Carved Elm Tribal Art, 20th Century
African Baga 'Nimba' Helmet Mask, Carved Elm Tribal Art, 20th Century

African Baga 'Nimba' Helmet Mask, Carved Elm Tribal Art, 20th Century

Located in Queens, NY

African Guinea 20th Century carved wood iconic Baga \"Nimba\" helmet shoulder mask (AKA \"D\'mba\") representing female energy & fertility, protector of pregnant women. Wear to ...

Category

20th Century African Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Elm

Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region
Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region

Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region

Located in Meer, VAN

Rare Early to Mid 20th Century African Bena Lulua Mask Kasai Region A rare Bena Lulua mask from the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating to the early to mid ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

African Mask Sculpture on Base, Hardwood and Cord, Tribal Decor, 1990s
African Mask Sculpture on Base, Hardwood and Cord, Tribal Decor, 1990s

African Mask Sculpture on Base, Hardwood and Cord, Tribal Decor, 1990s

Located in Linkebeek, BE

20th century African mask on base Wear consistent with age and use Tribal decoration - Ethnic Measures : 32cmx26cm H:70cm

Category

1990s Busts

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Congolese Kuba Bwoon Helmet Mask
Congolese Kuba Bwoon Helmet Mask

Congolese Kuba Bwoon Helmet Mask

$500

H 11 in W 9 in D 16 in

Congolese Kuba Bwoon Helmet Mask

Located in Pasadena, TX

This piece is called a Kuba mask. It was made in Congo. Its a helmet and a mask. Its decorated with cloth, beads and shells. its nicely carved and would make a statement in your home...

Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Beads

African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century
African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century

African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century

$606Sale Price / item|46% Off

H 15.36 in Dm 5.91 in

African Katanda Mask – Lega Tribe, DR Congo – Mid 20th Century

Located in Ljubljana, SI

Bring a piece of African heritage into your space with this authentic vintage Katanda mask from the Lega people of DR Congo. Hand-carved in the mid-20th century, this tribal mask is ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Hardwood

Mid 20th-Century African Helmet Mask
Mid 20th-Century African Helmet Mask

Mid 20th-Century African Helmet Mask

$875

H 29 in W 8.5 in D 10.5 in

Mid 20th-Century African Helmet Mask

Located in San Francisco, CA

On offer is a Kuba Bwoom helmet mask from the Kuba Kingdom (Democratic Republic of the Congo), specifically featuring a heavily stylized ceremonial royal coiffure. In Kuba royal mas...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Fur, Shell, Raffia, Mirror, Wood, Feathers

African Grebo Face Mask, Carved Painted Wood, Tribal Art, 1990s
African Grebo Face Mask, Carved Painted Wood, Tribal Art, 1990s

African Grebo Face Mask, Carved Painted Wood, Tribal Art, 1990s

Located in Queens, NY

African Late 20th Century (1990s) painted Grebo face mask (embodying spirits residing in the forest) carved in oval form with tubular eyes, flattened nose and mouth, 2 side holes plu...

Category

20th Century African Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Paint

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade
Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

$2,295

H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 9.85 in

Old Igbo Helmet Mask, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

Located in Torquay, GB

A superb Igbo Nigeria helmet mask 'Agbogho Mmuo" or Maiden Spirit. Worn as masqurades during funerals, cleansing rituals, harvest festivals, weddings and other such occasions . Igb...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top
Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top

Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top. Finely carved mask with carved open eyes, and pointed nose and slightly smiling mouth. It is in good co...

Category

Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Early Papua New Guinea Painted Maprik Wood Head or Mask, Strong Expression
Early Papua New Guinea Painted Maprik Wood Head or Mask, Strong Expression

Early Papua New Guinea Painted Maprik Wood Head or Mask, Strong Expression

Located in Point Richmond, CA

From Papua New Guinea an early painted Maprik carved wood head sculpture or mask, intense expression showing teeth, and two opposing stylized birds on top. Mid 20th century. Faded po...

Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Organic Material, Wood

Rare West African Senufo Double-Faced Ceremonial Helmet Mask
Rare West African Senufo Double-Faced Ceremonial Helmet Mask

Rare West African Senufo Double-Faced Ceremonial Helmet Mask

Located in Nottingham, GB

A striking Senufo Janus double-faced helmet mask, hand-carved in Ivory Coast during the mid-20th century. Executed in the distinctive horizontal Kponungo form, the mask combines two ...

Category

20th Century Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Ekoi, Ejagham Janiform Headcrest, Nigeria
Ekoi, Ejagham Janiform Headcrest, Nigeria

Ekoi, Ejagham Janiform Headcrest, Nigeria

$2,200

H 19 in W 10 in D 12 in

Ekoi, Ejagham Janiform Headcrest, Nigeria

Located in Savannah, GA

Janiform ceremonial headdress from the Ekoi, Ejagham people of the Cross River region of Southeastern Nigeria, circa early 20th century. The janus symbolism from the Cross River r...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

People Also Browsed

Expressive Early Classic Cubist Dan Mask Early 20th Century Liberia, ex Sothebys
Expressive Early Classic Cubist Dan Mask Early 20th Century Liberia, ex Sothebys

Expressive Early Classic Cubist Dan Mask Early 20th Century Liberia, ex Sothebys

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Expressive early classic cubist Dan mask with refined expressive look, narrow open eyes and mouth and fine line scarification marks around outside of face. Created early 20th century...

Category

Early 20th Century Liberian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Mappin & Webb Cutlery Set for 12 People. England, Early 20th Century
Mappin & Webb Cutlery Set for 12 People. England, Early 20th Century

Mappin & Webb Cutlery Set for 12 People. England, Early 20th Century

By Mappin & Webb

Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Mappin & Webb silver plate cutlery set for 12 people, England, early 20th century. Complete for 12 people. A total of 130 pieces: 12 large knifes, 12 large forks and 12 large s...

Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art
A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art

A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art

$3,700

H 10.16 in W 5.16 in D 2.68 in

A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art

Located in Skien, NO

Ngaady aMwaash Mask. African Antique Folk Art Kuba Mask, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Property from a Private Collection. Acquired by a Norwegian Collector...

Category

Antique 19th Century Congolese Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Softwood

Egyptian Stone Relief of Man and Wife
Egyptian Stone Relief of Man and Wife

Egyptian Stone Relief of Man and Wife

$255,000Sale Price|32% Off

H 11.03 in W 10.44 in D 1.58 in

Egyptian Stone Relief of Man and Wife

Located in London, GB

This painted limestone relief is an exquisite example of New Kingdom relief carving from the apogee of Egyptian artistic production. Carved in raised relief - a labour-intensive tech...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Busts

Materials

Limestone

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire
Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

By Pauly et Cie, Guggenheim Museum

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare one of a kind Pauly CIE Et stamped hand carved walnut armoire made by the genius that was Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim 1837-1910 W...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair
Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair

Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair

$2,797Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.82 in W 9.45 in D 15.75 in

Kuba Mask African Bwoom Tribal Congo in Wood, Vibrates Vegetables, Animal Hair

Located in Milano, IT

The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask, the Kuba bwoom mask. The materials used for the realization of the Mask are: Wood, colors and vibrates plants, caures, be...

Category

Antique 1620s Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Animal Skin, Organic Material, Wood

Fine Yoruba Ibeji Female Pair African Tribal Art
Fine Yoruba Ibeji Female Pair African Tribal Art

Fine Yoruba Ibeji Female Pair African Tribal Art

$509 / set

H 10.63 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in

Fine Yoruba Ibeji Female Pair African Tribal Art

Located in London, GB

Good of female Yoruba Ibeji Figures Finely carved in dense wood with linear decoration to the body Nigeria Period Early 20th century Size: 27 and 25 cm Condition: Good Fine...

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

Carved Wood African Headdress on Later Iron Stand
Carved Wood African Headdress on Later Iron Stand

Carved Wood African Headdress on Later Iron Stand

Located in Buchanan, MI

Carved wood African headdress on later iron stand.

Category

20th Century African Sculptures

Materials

Wood

African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask

African Lwalwa Tribal Mask

$3,500

H 12 in W 7 in D 5 in

African Lwalwa Tribal Mask

Located in Montreal, QC

African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.

Category

Vintage 1960s Congolese Masks

Materials

Wood

Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art
Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art

Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art

Located in Ljubljana, SI

Discover the soul of Africa through this authentic Salampasu mask from DR Congo, handcrafted in the mid-20th century. Part of a carefully curated collection sourced from private home...

Category

Vintage 1950s Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Hardwood

Hand-Carved Wood Mask on Lucite Base, Contemporary Folk Art, Africa
Hand-Carved Wood Mask on Lucite Base, Contemporary Folk Art, Africa

Hand-Carved Wood Mask on Lucite Base, Contemporary Folk Art, Africa

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Exceptional hand carved wood mask with graphic elements, made of a single piece of wood and was made for decorative purposes. Very intriguing and mysterious face. The mask in mounte...

Category

20th Century African Masks

Materials

Wood, Lucite

Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head
Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head

Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head From the Chokwe Culture of Angola. A fine, old, much used comb with a glossy, glasslike patina. Of traditional form with...

Category

Early 20th Century Angolan Other Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Benin 'Nigeria' Bronze Standing Leopard Sculpture
Benin 'Nigeria' Bronze Standing Leopard Sculpture

Benin 'Nigeria' Bronze Standing Leopard Sculpture

Located in Dallas, TX

After the original Benin bronzes, this statue depicts a large standing leopard with an upturned tail and unusually long legs, from the mid-20th century made in the same casting metho...

Category

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Metal

Antique African Carved Toma Landai Tribal Ceremonial Mask Guinea Art Horns
Antique African Carved Toma Landai Tribal Ceremonial Mask Guinea Art Horns

Antique African Carved Toma Landai Tribal Ceremonial Mask Guinea Art Horns

Located in Dayton, OH

Early antique hand carved Toma or Landai mask from Guinea, Africa. “These brooding, often quite large, masks represent a forest spirit, Landai. Masks like these were used by the men'...

Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Masks

Materials

Raffia, Hardwood

Chokwe Mask – Mid 20th Century – Angola – African Tribal Art
Chokwe Mask – Mid 20th Century – Angola – African Tribal Art

Chokwe Mask – Mid 20th Century – Angola – African Tribal Art

$913Sale Price|20% Off

H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in

Chokwe Mask – Mid 20th Century – Angola – African Tribal Art

Located in Ljubljana, SI

Bring home a piece of ancestral heritage with this authentic Chokwe mask from Angola, crafted in the mid-20th century. Rooted in deep cultural tradition, Chokwe masks were once used ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Angolan Tribal Masks

Materials

Hardwood

An Early Group of Four African Figures exhibited in New York, September 1935
An Early Group of Four African Figures exhibited in New York, September 1935

An Early Group of Four African Figures exhibited in New York, September 1935

Located in London, GB

An Early Group of Four African Figures exhibited in New York, September 1935, the same year as Moma’s groundbreaking African Art Exhibition Two Baule Figures, a Ewe Figure and a Yor...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Togolese Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Gelede Mask", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Gelede Mask For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic gelede mask available at 1stDibs. A gelede mask — often made from wood, cord and fabric — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a gelede mask — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right gelede mask, those designed in folk art styles are of considerable interest. Yoruba People each produced at least one beautiful gelede mask that is worth considering.

How Much is a Gelede Mask?

Prices for a gelede mask can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $980 and can go as high as $7,697, while the average can fetch as much as $3,447.

Finding the Right Folk Art for You

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of folk art on 1stDibs.