A Mende Sowei Female Initiation Mask

A lovely carved wooden helmet mask with exquisite facial features , elaborate coiffure and avian & serpent figures as the top finial. The mask was carved from a single piece of wood and is perhaps the

A original carved wooden helmet style mask from the Mende peoples of Sierra leone, West Africa. This is a wonderful old field used example of the only matriarchal masking tradition in all of Africa,..

A carved wooden Bundu or Sowei Mask for the Sande Female society initiation dances of the Mende peoples. Carved wood with stylized face and form, adorned with long raffia grass to cover the dancer.Sie

A truly Ancient and eroded carved wooden "Bundu" mask from the Mende peoples, Sierra Leone, West Africa ( likely 19th Century.) The mask measures 12 x 8 inches. A durable display stand can be included

A Finely carved wooden helmet mask with elaborate coiffure and stylized facial features. Such masks were worn exclusively by the women of the Sande society during initiation ceremonies. Mende peoples,

A finely carved helmet style mask from the Mende peoples of Sierra leone, West Africa. This is a lovely example featuring diminutive face, tall finial, elaborate coiffure and the traditional "neck rol

A carved wooden helmet mask with stylized diminutive face and elaborate coiffure, obvious signs of handling and wear. This type of mask is associated with girls' initiation ceremonies by the Sande, wh

A Fine Bundu Female initiation mask from the Mende peoples and the Sande Society, Sierra leone, West Africa.Carved wood, measures 16.5 inches tall x 9 inches wide.A metal display stand can be included

A Lovely carved wooden helmet style mask with traditional carved coiffure, diminutive face and neck rolls. Mende peoples, Budu society initiation mask, Sierra Leone, West Africa. The mask Measures 14

Sierra Leone. Female initiation mask, height 14 inches.

This is an elegant and fine carved wooden mask from the Mende peoples of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Such masks are carved by members of the Sande Society for use during a young woman's initiation cere

Mende Peoples, 'Sowei' helmet mask, 20th c., Sierra Leone, dark patina wood, carved as a female head, the coiffure surmounted by a small turtle, 15"h x 8.5"dia Provenance: A Private Collection: 30 Eas

This mask is worn over the head of a female elder who dances for the Sande women's society. The mask displays and celebrates Mende ideals of female beauty and virtue: elaborately braided hair (cosmeti

Tall carved wooden helmet style mask worn exclusively by the women of the Sande society during initiation ceremonies. Mende peoples, Sierra Leone, West Africa. The mask measures 24 x 9 inches. A metal

A Carved wooden helmet type mask worn by leaders of the all-female society during the initiation of young women into adulthood. The Mende culture of Sierra Leone would wear helmet masks which are carv

Bundu or Sowei mask for women's Sande society, Mende people, Sierra Leone and Liberia, West Africa, danced with by women in a matriarchal society, depicting the idealization of female beauty, includin

Bundu or Sowei mask for women’s Sande society, Mende people, Sierra Leone and Liberia, West Africa, danced with by women in a matriarchal society, depicting the idealization of female beauty, includ

A finely carved wooden helmet mask with reddish mineral pigment accent and a small section of human hair. Makonde peoples, Mozambique, Africa. The mask measures 11 x 6 inches. A durable metal display

African Sierra Leon Mende Sande society female mask, died black wood helmet, of hollowed ovoid form, having an elaborate coiffure, comprised of rounded and pointed elements, with leaf-like vertical se

A carved wooden and painted helmet mask with a long raffia grass collar attached to hide the dancer. This wooden mask is associated with a secret women's society which exists in parts of West Africa,

carved wood; Sierre Leone; Bundu society; Provenance: from the Estate of Dr. Norman Levine and the late Morelle Lasky Levine, Los Angeles; Condition: with wood loss; 7 inches wide; 8 inches deep; 13 3

A helmet mask of female face and neck; black finish overall. Braided coiffure with raised prongs (comb?) rising above head. Mende style. Mid to late 20th century. 17 1/4" h

2 Mende Sande Society Sowei Masks. Sierra Leone and Liberia, Africa. Carved wood. Stands not included. Largest Size: 20'' x 10'' x 13'' (51 x 25 x 33 cm). Provenance: ex New York private ethnographic

White chalk on face. Sierra Leone. Initiating mask, height 13 inches.