Helmet mask "sowei" of the "bundu" society · Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3035452
Swiss Private Collection
Description
wood, dark brown patina, characteristic form: cylindrical, with a compressed diamond-shaped face and voluminous neck rolls, min. dam., missing part in the area of the chin, traces of insect caused damage, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
“sowei” masks are commissioned and worn by women, although carved by men. They are associated with the education and socialization of young females, and their excision ceremonies are supervised by the “bundu” or “sande” societies.
The object Helmet mask “sowei” of the “bundu” society with the object ID 3035452 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 49.
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