Lot A82 - Sande (Bundu) mask

Item number: A82

Sande (Bundu) mask

Mende people, Sierra Leone

Height: 51 cm (without raffia)

Carved wooden helmet mask with smooth, lustrous dark patina and refined facial features. The face displays downcast eyes, a small composed mouth, and a high rounded forehead. The elaborate coiffure rises into a sculptural superstructure surmounted by a small standing female figure with a ringed neck. The lower edge retains abundant dark fiber raffia forming the characteristic collar.

Mask type associated with the Sande women’s society.