"Mende Mask"
Mende mask, Sierra Leone, wood, early 20th century, former C. Laurenti collection (Toulouse) and former Toguna gallery collection (P. Brennetot/Toulouse). A helmet mask known as Sowei from the Mende culture of Sierra Leone, it is called Bundu and celebrates feminine beauty. The face, with its large, rounded forehead, emerges from a ringed neck and reveals a headdress made of four braided plaits. The rest of the headdress is stylised with geometric patterns. Crosses can be seen at the ears and forehead. The lacquered patina is deep. The object is very old, authentic and has not been restored.
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