Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende, ca. mid 20th century CE. A large Bundu mask, skillfully carved from a solid hardwood, reminiscent of the type used during ceremonies associated with the Sande female societies. Such masks embody idealized female beauty traits and oftentimes represent a revered ancestor of the society. This example presents a visage with characteristically narrow slit eyes, a prominent forehead, a squared off nose, and petite round ears as well as a lovely crested coiffure with striated and plaited sections and two tubular-rolled sections on the lower back. Impressive for its expert carving technique, beautiful aesthetic, and ceremonial purpose (see below). Size: 10.625" L x 9.25" W x 10.25" H (27 cm x 23.5 cm x 26 cm); 17.5" H (44.4 cm) on included custom stand.

This type of mask is traditionally used by a female society within the Mende culture on important occasions: handing down justice, attending funeral ceremonies, and going through initiation rites. During those initiation rites, the women who are already initiated, the Sande, wear these masks when they greet the newly initiated as they return from three months' seclusion in the forest. In use, the masks are complemented by long costumes attached to cover the entire body so that the identifications of the women remain anonymous. Often these masks combine male elements with female elements to show that the women have attained the same amount of knowledge as men. Similar examples exist in the Vatican Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Provenance: private Allen Davis collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#125466

Age cracks, surface wear, eroded areas, and losses as shown. Black substance (perhaps a libation offering) and encrustation from the elements on surface. Lovely dark patina.