African Art Collection Auction Ending 11/30

#19 – SOWEI HELMET MASK. Sherbro people, Sierra Leone. Collected in Sumbuya Town. Helmet masks of the Sherbro, Mende and other peoples of Sierra Leone are carved by men to be worn exclusively by women during the initiation ceremonies of the Sande Society for girls. In this culture, facial features (nose, eyes, mouth, and ears) are accorded less importance than the fine quality of a girl’s hair and the glow of her skin as indicators of good health, and the dome of her forehead denoting intelligence. These features are fully embodied in this mask with very abundant, finely carved hair drawn into six long braids, the large domed forehead, and the disproportionately small facial features. The entire face is exceptionally low, appearing to displace the neck rings. On custom base. Wood, pigment. H 16in. Published in Rosen, Rosen 2013 p. 44 Fig. 45.

SOWEI HELMET MASK. Sherbro people, Sierra Leone. Collected in Sumbuya Town. Helmet masks of the Sherbro, Mende and other peoples of Sierra Leone are carved by men to be worn exclusively by women during the initiation ceremonies of the Sande Society for girls. In this culture, facial features (nose, eyes, mouth, and ears) are accorded less importance than the fine quality of a girl’s hair and the glow of her skin as indicators of good health, and the dome of her forehead denoting intelligence. These features are fully embodied in this mask with very abundant, finely carved hair drawn into six long braids, the large domed forehead, and the disproportionately small facial features. The entire face is exceptionally low, appearing to displace the neck rings. On custom base. Wood, pigment. H 16in. Published in Rosen, Rosen 2013 p. 44 Fig. 45.

Track this Item