Extremly Rare Yoruba Gelede Head mask – Kifouli Dossou – Nigeria.

Extremly Rare Yoruba Gelede Head mask - Kifouli Dossou - Nigeria.Carved from a single piece of wood, with color pigments. This Gèlèdé fine art sculpture is hand carved from a singular block of sustainable African Merina wood, requiring up to 100 hours of work. Artist: Kifouli Dossou, As a Gèlèdé master-artisan, the practice of Kifouli Dossou finds its origins in the cultural ideologies of Fon & Yorùba. Llinked through history, tradition and language to the Kingdom of Dahomey.The oral tradition of Gèlèdé, one of West Africa’s crown jewels, is inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Kifouli Dossou carves directly in the mass of Merina wood. The craftsman appreciates this peculiar kernel for its striking opalescence, light weight and high resistance, making it notoriously hard to work. Kifouli's awe-inspiring technique is the alliance of a gentle sensuality and a dazzling tour de force, conferring him as one of Benin's highly sought-after master-artisan.Size: 24 high cm x 27 cm deep. This Yoruba mask from the artist Kifouli Dossou is made in 2010 and was purchased in my private collection in 2011, with a certificate of authenticity.A Yoruba Gelede mask, by Kifouli Dossou, Benin, of an elongated head... lees verder bij Catawiki