This is the rating and price for Mende Helmet Mask (Sowei), Mid-20th Century

Description : Certificate of Authenticity Available!Additional Information: A wonderful Mende helmet mask with a substantial age and coming from an old collection! ,Though many works of art have come out of the Atlantic Guinea Coast region of West Africa few have as much prominence as the masks worn by the women of the Sande society of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Membership in Sande is exclusively reserved for women for it is the Sande society that initiates young girls into adult status assuring that the girls are instructed in their duties to come as wives and responsible adult members of their village. Sande continues to play a prominent role in women’s lives today among the Mende, Temne, Vai, Bassa, Sherbro and Gola peoples of the region. The authority of Sande derives its power and influence from Hale, the magic that women control and which resides in the Sowei mask. The authority of Sande and its protection of the young girls as they go through their initiations and as they are instructed in the secrets of Sande is known through the masks worn by senior women members and leaders of the local chapter. The masks known as Sowei are embodiments of ideal beauty and the precepts held by the Sande Society. Though carved by a male sculptor, the Sowei mask is the only mask danced by women in West Africa. This is a ‘helmet mask’ worn over the head with a dark costume attached to the small holes at the bottom of the mask, which completely covers the dancer as she whirls and dances with quick steps showing the spirit and power of Sande. The care and attention so obvious in this mask given to details of hair, features of the face and the skill of carving the head and side faces attest to the aesthetic dimension so important in Sande and it’s masks. The vertical elements of a female’s coiffure is integrated into the design of the mask for dramatic effect. The geometrical designs on the side of the helmet portion of the mask are based upon hair styles and patterns worn by the women of this region. The naturalism and the open carving of the eyes and the thick encrustation of pigment most probably indicate a 1950's date for this Sowei mask. With her half-opened and downcast eyes and slightly pursed mouth the expression is one of calm and self-control. The dramatic carving and the prominent forms of the mask reflect the Mende or Vai artist’s ability to give shape to the principles and aesthetic ideals of the women’s Sande Society. Further reading: Gottschalk, B. “Bundu”. 1990. Mato, D. and C. Miller. “Sande masks and Statues From Sierra Leone and Liberia”. 1990 Boone, S. “Radience From the Waters.” 1986.
Price: 0.00 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 4000 USD-5000 USD It's free to register now to view!

Details