Mende, Sierra Leone: A ‘sowei’ helmet mask of the women’s association, ‘Sande’, with original fibre hanging.
Mende, Sierra Leone: A ‘sowei’ helmet mask of the women’s association, ‘Sande’, with original fibre hanging.
![Mende, Sierra Leone: A ‘sowei’ helmet mask of the women’s association, ‘Sande’, with original fibre hanging. - Tribal Art Mende, Sierra Leone: A ‘sowei’ helmet mask of the women’s association, ‘Sande’, with original fibre hanging. - Tribal Art](/fileadmin/lot-images/39T141105/normal/mende-sierra-leone-eine-helm-maske-sowei-des-frauen-bundes-sande-mit-originalem-faser-behang-3304889.jpg)
The Mende have an important women’s association known as the ‘Sande association’ (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 50). The present ‘sowei’ helmet mask displays the characteristic, thick neck rings (as a symbol of prosperity and health). The face is typically rhomb shaped. With a serious expression, closed eyes and typical tribal scarification tattoos on both cheeks (three vertical lines on each). To the left and right of the pointed chin are two narrow peep-slits for the dancer. The elaborately carved hairstyle is surmounted by seven high crests. The central main crest displays a continuous hole in the upper section, for the purpose of ‘ventilating’ the narrow helmet. Attached to the lower rim is an all-round hanging of black-dyed plant fibres, which constitutes an original integral part of the mask costume of Mende women. This very old ‘sowei mask’ was originally carved in light-coloured, lightweight wood and dyed black. It displays a convincing, old usage patina, especially on the inside! Minor age-related damage: a small hole in the forehead (glued), a tear to the back of the coiffure. First third of the 20th century; H: 42 cm, DM: 20 cm x 20 cm (lower helm, inside). (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 347; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 263, 266, 269.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,400.- to EUR 1,800.-
Mende, Sierra Leone: A ‘sowei’ helmet mask of the women’s association, ‘Sande’, with original fibre hanging.
The Mende have an important women’s association known as the ‘Sande association’ (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 50). The present ‘sowei’ helmet mask displays the characteristic, thick neck rings (as a symbol of prosperity and health). The face is typically rhomb shaped. With a serious expression, closed eyes and typical tribal scarification tattoos on both cheeks (three vertical lines on each). To the left and right of the pointed chin are two narrow peep-slits for the dancer. The elaborately carved hairstyle is surmounted by seven high crests. The central main crest displays a continuous hole in the upper section, for the purpose of ‘ventilating’ the narrow helmet. Attached to the lower rim is an all-round hanging of black-dyed plant fibres, which constitutes an original integral part of the mask costume of Mende women. This very old ‘sowei mask’ was originally carved in light-coloured, lightweight wood and dyed black. It displays a convincing, old usage patina, especially on the inside! Minor age-related damage: a small hole in the forehead (glued), a tear to the back of the coiffure. First third of the 20th century; H: 42 cm, DM: 20 cm x 20 cm (lower helm, inside). (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 347; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 263, 266, 269.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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Auction: | Tribal Art |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |