Standing female figure "minsereh" ·  Sierra Leone, Mendé · ID: 3032404

Description

wood, shiny, dark brown patina, elongated body with accentuated navel and carved bracelets, remains of a collection label on the back, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base;
the rare figures of the Mende are always of female gender and they are called “minsereh”. In service of the “yassi” society they mediate between humans and spirits and were consulted for oracle. Alike the masks they are dyed in black and their necks are arranged in rings.