MENDE HELMET MASK, SOWEI
SIERRA LEONE
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Auction: 13 March 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
carved wood, the coiffure with incised detailing, the ears pierced with metal inset earrings, scarification to the cheeks, pierced eyes, small mouth and ringed neck
Dimensions
36.2cm high
Provenance
Dr. Alberto Scalettaris, Turin, Italy, acquired on the European art market c. 1970s, thence by descent
Footnote
Mende sowei masks are an integral part of the cultural and spiritual practices of the Mende people in Sierra Leone. Used primarily in women’s initiation ceremonies, these masks symbolise beauty, femininity, and the transition into womanhood. Characterised by their elegant, elongated forms and intricate details, sowei masks often feature smooth, rounded faces adorned with elaborate hairstyles and decorative elements, with the presence of fat rolls signifying perfected beauty and health.