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With neck rolls, elaborately plaited coiffure, fiber attachment, and blackened surface.
Helmet Mask (sowei)
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Helmet Mask (sowei)

Maker Mende Artist
Date20th century
Place of originSierra Leone, Africa
MediumWood, fiber
Dimensions15 x 10 x 11 in. (38.1 x 25.4 x 27.9 cm)
ClassificationsClothing and accessories
Credit LineGift of Rod McGalliard
Object number1990.14.28
Collections
Visual DescriptionWith neck rolls, elaborately plaited coiffure, fiber attachment, and blackened surface.
With neck rolls, elaborately plaited coiffure, white metal attachments, fiber attachment, and blackened surface.
Mende Wood Sande Helmet Mask (sowei)
Mende Artist
undated
With neck rolls, elaborately plaited coiffure, and blackened surface.
Helmet Mask (sowei)
Mende Artist
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Mask with neck rolls, scarifications, elaborately plaited coiffure topped with a down-turned pot, and a glossy darkened surface.
Sande Society Mask (sowei)
Mende Artist
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With neck rolls, scarifications, elaborate coiffure, and blackened surface.
Mende Wood Sande Helmet Mask (sowei)
Mende Artist
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Mask with neck rolls, scarifications, plaited coiffure with dentate carving, and a glossy darkened surface.
Helmet Mask
Mende Artist
undated
With neck rolls, cheek scarifications, elaborately plaited coiffure, and a glossy darkened surface
Helmet Mask
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A dark wooden helmet mask featuring a small top crest, pointed side projections, and incised chevron patterns on the coiffure. A small, stylized face with narrow eyes and a nose is carved above the neck carved with neck rolls.
Helmet Mask
Mende Artist
undated
A dark wooden helmet mask featuring five crests in the coiffure and crescent-shaped side projections. A small, stylized face with narrow eyes and a nose is carved above carved neck rolls.
Helmet Mask
Mende Artist
undated
Wood helmet mask with female facial features, crested hairdo surmounted by bird on top of crenellated drum some wear of wood, and blackened surface worn off to reveal raw wood, or white pigment rubbed into some areas.
Mask (gonde)
Mende Artist
20th century
Mask of stylized face with eye cylinders, braided hair, and a blackened surface.
Mask (gle)
Dan Artist
undated
Female Ancestor Mask (Pwo)
Female Ancestor Mask (Pwo)
Chokwe Artist
20th century
A dark wooden mask featuring deep round eyes, a prominent nose, and an open mouth showing teeth. Cowrie shells are attached to the upper edge, and a thick fringe of dark feathers and fibers surrounds the lower face.
Mask (gle)
Dan Artist
undated

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