"Sande" society helmet mask "ndoli jowel" ·  Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3039876

Description

wood, black patina, of typical form with fan-shaped coiffure, star- and crescent-shaped applications from sheet silver, magical paraphernalia preserved (two charms, animal horn filled with magical substances) as well as the abundant plant fibre cuff at the lower rim, dotted tattoos, slightly dam., crack (coiffure), strips from sheet silver originally adorned the contour of the hairline and the ridges of the fan-like hairdo;
the highest ranking officials of the “sande” are known als “sowei”, and the mask is known as “ndoli jowel” (literally “dancing sowei”). It embodies the guardian spirit of the society and represents “sande” at all major public occasions, from funerals to important visits or installations of chiefs.

The object “Sande” society helmet mask “ndoli jowel” with the object ID 3039876 was part of the auction 82nd Tribal Art Auction on February 27, 2016. The object with the lot number 258 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,600 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.