Mask, first half of 20th century
Mendeexpand_more
Wood, mirrors, cowrie shell, cordexpand_more
The Mary Ruth Weisel Endowment for Africa, Oceania, and the Americasexpand_more 2021.3
On View in Gallery 254expand_more
What better example than the most powerful queen in the world to inspire young women as they enter adulthood' That is what a Mende sculptor from Sierra Leone may have asked himself as he carved this mask for a female dancer of the all-women association called Sande. Members of the Sande association promote their interests, protect their well-being, and assist young women in their rite of passage. Sande masks are among the very rare mask genres in Africa to be worn and dances exclusively by women. And this particular example, with its European-style crown, represents Queen Victoria, who ruled over the British Empire (of which Sierra Leone was a part) for over six decades, until her death in 1901.
Details
- Title
- Mask
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2021.3
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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