Description: Sande Society MENDE SOWEI Helmet Mask Sierra Leone, Liberia - Sande 17" x 10" - ReplicaReplica Mask - Copy of one in the Brooklyn Museum - Arts of Africahttps://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4809 Please look at this Brooklyn Museum link. It shows a mask identical to this one, only it is antique carved wood.These masks are typically hand carve of wood. This one is a replaca made of gypsum/plaster casting. The condition is very good. Look at all the photos. There are some pieces broken off and some scratches, but they add to the charm of this unique mask.Female with European style crown as headdress. Bulging forehead with features clustered in bottom half of face. Large coffee bean eyes with slits, small nose and mouth. Plump ringed neck, small flat ears. Hair is indicated by relief diamond pattern. Crown has flower and leaf pattern surmounted by four bridges joined to a central knob. Holes around bottom of mask for attachment of costume. Crown headress supposedly taken from coins of Queen Victoria.The ceremonies of the Sande society are the only occasions in Africa in which women customarily wear masks. Masks like this one represent the society's guardian spirit at public events such as funerals or the installations of chiefs.The features of the mask illustrate the group's ideal of feminine beauty, with a broad, high forehead, small narrow eyes, and an elaborate coiffure. The elegant hairstyles also symbolize the importance of social cooperation, since a woman needs the help of her friends to dress her hair.In Sierra Leone and western Liberia, each town has a Sande society that includes all of the women in the community. It represents them and binds them together as a powerful social and political force. The Sande society is one of the most influential patrons of the visual arts in West Africa.PLEASE TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS. THERE MAY BE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT! Please feel free to email any questions. Descriptions are as accurate and honest as possible. Refund only if different from description. Postage is exact with no additional handling or packaging fees. Alaska, Hawaii and International bidders submit postal code and location for accurate shipping prior to item closing. Please carefully view photos above, as they are part of the item description. Prompt shipping from a reliable seller. Most of my items are vintage or antique and are offered in "as found" condition. I do not restore items; I leave that to the buyer who buys "as is."
Price: 125 USD
Location: Jupiter, Florida
End Time: 2025-02-04T22:03:43.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country/Region of Manufacture: Sierra Leone
Culture: African
