Helmet mask "ngengema jowel" · Sierra Leone, Mende/Gola · ID: 3042109
Description
wood, strongly encrusted blackish brown patina, metal applications, nails, prominent horizontal forehead zone, rectangular pierced eyes, flat nose, incised mouth with notched rows of teeth, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, minor missing parts, traces of insect caused damage, cracks, rep. (small piece reinserted);
presumably belonging to the “gonde” mask type, which is described as “ngengema jowel” (= “funny sowei”), a clown-like figure who overturns all the conventions and decorum proper to “ndoli jowel”. Her humor lies most pointedly in her juxtaposition with the object of her parody.
The object Helmet mask “ngengema jowel” with the object ID 3042109 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 172.
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Comparing literature
Philips, Ruth B., Representing woman, Los Angeles 1995, p. 90 f. Mato, Daniel & Charles Miller, Sande, Düsseldorf 1990, ill. p. 86
Publications
AHDRC: 0142011