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African Mende Helmut Mask

$2,000
$2,50020% Off
£1,517.55
£1,896.9420% Off
€1,735.19
€2,168.9820% Off
CA$2,793.46
CA$3,491.8220% Off
A$3,105.94
A$3,882.4320% Off
CHF 1,621.75
CHF 2,027.1920% Off
MX$37,806.91
MX$47,258.6420% Off
NOK 20,692.86
NOK 25,866.0820% Off
SEK 19,388.22
SEK 24,235.2820% Off
DKK 12,950.02
DKK 16,187.5320% Off
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About the Item

Carved Helmut masks of this type were made by the Sande society of the Mende people of Sierra Leone, Africa for use in masquerades by young women in initiation rites on their passage to the adulthood. This example is carved from a single piece of wood. The carving represents stylized ideals of form and beauty. The shiny black surface represents the appreciation of smooth dark skin of the initiate. The seriousness of the expression represents the reverence for the spiritual nature of the ceremonies in which this mask was worn.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1900s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. Some losses, cracks and wear consistent with age and ritual use.
  • Seller Location:
    Miami Beach, FL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU977618305672

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