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Sande society mask (sowei)

Mende, The Nguabu Master

Arts of Africa

CULTURE Mende
MEDIUM Wood, pigment, metal
DATES late 19th–early 20th century
DIMENSIONS 15 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. (39.4 x 23.5 x 26 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER 74.64
CREDIT LINE Carll H. de Silver Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wooden helmet mask of a human head. Its neck is enlarged with rolls of fat. There are holes around the base for attachments. The eyes are coffee bean in shape with slits through their centers. Four verticle scarification marks appear under each eye. The elaborate headress consists of eight flap-like forms secured at the center with a band.The headdress is topped by a mushroom-like ornament with frets and other decorative work. Condition: A vertical crack runs from base of mask to head band at back center and includes a triangular 1 3/4 hole below band.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Mende. Sande society mask (sowei), late 19th–early 20th century. Wood, pigment, metal, 15 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. (39.4 x 23.5 x 26 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 74.64. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.64_edited_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 74.64_edited_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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