Helmet mask – wood – Mende – Sierra Leone

Impressive janus helmet mask with double faces. Large piece, total weight 4500 gram. A beautiful helmet mask from the Mende people living in Liberia and Sierra Leone. As symbol of idealized feminine beauty these masks are exclusively worn by women; they play an important role in the women’s society “Sande”.
This mask is an excellent example of the fine workmanship of the carver. Good condition with nice aged patina.

Provenance: former private German collection.