We are not exactly sure as to the origins of this mask but it looks to have been inspired by the Mende people of Sierra Leone. It measures 13 inches tall and weighs 4.5 pounds. The piece shows a lot of wear and tear with large cracks and repairs – please inspect photos carefully.
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Tattered Mende Style Helmet Mask 13″ – Sierra Leone – African Art
$200.00
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| Type of Object | Helmet Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Sierra Leone |
| Ethnicity | Mende |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 13" |
| Width (Inches) | 10" |
| Depth (Inches) | 10" |
| Weight (Pounds/ Ounces) | 4.5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Large cracks and repairs. Severe wear and tear |
Tribe Information
About the Mende People
“The Mende Settled in Sierra Leone in the 16th century, having migrated from the north. Today, the 2,000,000 Mende live mostly from the rice and cocoa farming and are organized into different chiefdoms. Social order and structure are regulated through the Poro male and Sande female societies. During ceremonies associated with the latter, women wear Bundu masks which embody idealized female beauty and represent an ancestor of the society.
Other Mende societies are responsible for the protecting of their members from illness or curing them. Female figures are carved and revered for their healing properties and also serve as emblems for the society when they are formally displayed during processions. Stylistically, they can be resting on their abdomen and their typical head with an exaggerated coiffure.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
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