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a close up of a sculpture of a shoe on a standan image of a black sculpture of a head with horns on ita close up of a sculpture of a bird on a pedestala close up of a black vase on a stand with a white backgroundan image of a black sculpture of a goat ' s head on a wooden basean image of a sculpture of a head on a standa close up of a sculpture of a helmet with a hand on ita black sculpture of a woman ' s head on a stand
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46 - Exceptional Mende helmet mask, Sierra Leone
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
Exceptional Mende helmet mask, Sierra Leone A richly decorated headdress featuring a variety of geometric patterns against a background of a raised herringbone motif. The double-lobed ears are of particular interest; the forehead is encircled by a metal frieze, of which a few elements remain; the forehead and sides also featured metal decoration, of which only the nails remain. A face with a broad forehead overlooking a delicate little face with half-closed eyes, scarified cheeks and a mouth forming a faint smile, all emphasised by a fan of raised rays. Heavy wood, glossy black patina, metal H. 37 cm – Diam. 25 cm On the rear right-hand side, a broken horn that has been glued back on; small cracks and minor losses on the headdress, due to age Support base Bibliography: ‘Sandé, a secret women’s society in Sierra Leone and Liberia’, Christiane Kauer and Claude Michalak, Gourcuff Gradenico, 2022, reproduced on p. 98, fig. 6-6 A (detail of the ear), p. 99, fig. 6-6 B (full page) and p. 167, figs. 6-6 A and B
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About the sale PRIMITIVE ARTS AND ASIAN ARTS
Auction location
Auction time 10/14/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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