Rare anthropomorphic face mask "aron arabai" ·  Sierra Leone, Temne · ID: 3049229

Description

copper sheet with hammered decor (“repoussé”), one-cent and twenty-cent coins (from the 1960s), rest., base

Numerous wooden masks are known from the Temne, which were the property of secret societies. Their metal masks, however, are largely unknown. This piece is one of the few examples that have found their way into Western collections.

Even today, metal masks “aron arabai” represent the guardian spirit “karfi” of the ruling chief and his clan in many Temne chiefdoms. The masks bear specific names that refer to the respective dynasty. There is only one mask for each ruling clan, which appeared during the ceremonial enthronement of the regent.

The metal faces were worn diagonally across the forehead. The dancer’s face and body were completely hidden by a lush costume of raffia and fabric.

A dancer wearing an “aron arabai” mask and costume is illustrated by Hahner-Herzog. It originated from the chiefdom of Kolifa and bore the name “nemankera”.

The object Rare anthropomorphic face mask “aron arabai” with the object ID 3049229 was part of the auction 99th Auction on November 12, 2022. The object with the lot number 223 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,500 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.

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.

Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 27

Publications

Rosen, Paul Peter & Mary Sue Rosen, "Masks from West and Central Africa: A Celebration of Color and Form", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 2014, p. 32, Fig. 32