A Yoruba Wood Gelede Mask

Nigeria, Circa 19th-20th Century A.D.

Height 21 inches (53 cm).

Property from the Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, California, Sold to Support the Care of Collections and the William Holden Fund for Acquisitions

Provenance:

Gift of the William Holden Estate, 1981; William Holden (b. 1918) was an American actor best known for his roles in Sabrina and The Wild Bunch. Holden had various collecting interests, with an emphasis in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and African objects.

Intact. The vessel between the figures has been repaired in some areas with visual signs of adhesive; other vertical cracks present. Heavy surface wear with loss to wood and paint. Staining to both figures' garments. Vertical crack/split to the front of the mask extending down to the proper left nostril; complete split to the back of the mask. Other superficial splits and cracks throughout, not affecting the overall structural integrity. Repair to a crack near the proper left back of the mask. Overall in fine stable condition.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

[email protected]312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

Antiquities & Ethnographic Art

A Yoruba Wood Gelede Mask

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup