Helmet mask "ndoli jowei" ("nòwo" / "sowei") · Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3050469

Name: Helmet mask "ndoli jowei" ("nòwo" / "sowei")
SKU: 3050469
Price: 1800 EUR
Availability: SoldOut

sold EUR 1,800

Provenance

American Private Collection

Size

H: 40,5 cm

H: 15.9 inch

Description

wood, rest., base

“Ndoli jowei” depicts a women in her physical prime, with smooth, glistening skin, neck creases and an elaborate coiffure.

Duiker antelope horns are carved into the hairstyle in some places, probably symbolising medicine (or vessels for it). At the back of the head is a rectangular compartment with carved cowries symbolising wealth, power and prestige. The crowning water turtle, a creature that can live in two elements, is regarded by the Mende as a mediator between this world and the world beyond, as a traveller between two worlds.

The object Helmet mask “ndoli jowei” (“nòwo” / “sowei”) with the object ID 3050469 was part of the auction 102nd Auction on April 13, 2024. The object with the lot number 130 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,800 with an asking price of EUR 1,200.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.