Standing female figure · Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3053735
Starting price
EUR 18,000
Estimated price
EUR 25,000
Provenance
collected in situ (early 20th century)United Kingdom Private Collection
Size
H: 56 cm
H: 22.0 inch
Description
wood, pigments,
The female figure wears boot-like footwear, which suggests European influences. Of particular note are the elaborate hairstyle and the finely detailed rank markings, which indicate her high social status. A striking physical feature depicted is the prominent umbilical hernia, lbase
Mende female figures represent ideal beauty in the form of young women who have just been initiated into adulthood. Throughout Mendeland, they were used for ritual acts by the various secret societies (“sande”, “njayei”, “humoi”, “yassi”).
They have a protective role and therapeutic function, and are usually
intended for curing diseases resulting from the transgression of interdictions.