The Vai are a small tribe to the east of the more numerous Mende. They live on the coast of Sierra Leone and in neighbouring Liberia. Just like the Mende, the Vai, too, have important women’s associations (the ‘Sande’ or ‘Bundu’ association) with a remarkable repertoire of masks. Among the Vai and the Mende, men carve the helmet masks, called ‘sowei’, on behalf of the women of the ‘Sande association’ for their dances and processions during the initiation of new members of the association. Whilst the Mende only have ‘female’ helmet masks, the Vai use both ‘female’ (with a face in the lower part of the helmet) and ‘male’ masks (in which the helmet is only geometrically carved, without a face). The present Vai mask is hence ‘male’. The helmet has three thick ‘neck rings’ (symbol of prosperity and health) in its lower section. A narrow peep-slit for the dancer is located on the front between the first and the second ring. The rings are surmounted by a high, cone-shaped hairstyle carved with many plaits. On top of this, at the centre, is a high crest made of eight ‘neck rings’ carrying a small head with finely crafted plaited coiffure. All carved from a single piece of light-coloured, lightweight wood and dyed black. A beautiful, traditional object with good old usage patina and two original repairs to the helmet (tears, glued). Minor age-related damage. First half of the 20th century; H: 58 cm, DM: 20 cm x 20 cm (lower helmet, inside). (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill.: p. 598; ‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 273, 274.