helmet mask, anthropomorphic with sculpted features; dark-stained wood; elaborate hairstyle carved in parallel ridges; bands of aluminum with zigzag edges nailed along forehead and on top; incised scarification marks on forehead; Context of use: Sande Society mask; water deer horns on top -protection for fertility; scarification marks: 3 for women - Mende; cowrie on side; ram’s horn - medicine; Liberian star and Muslim
Donor:
David Ames
Collection place:
Liberia
Verbatim coll. place:
Sierra Leone or Liberia; Interior Mende or N.W. Gola att.
Culture or time period:
Mende-Gola
Collector:
unknown
Collection date:
1941
Materials:
Aluminum (metal) and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Masks (costume)
Function:
5.3 Objects relating to the Secular and Quasi-religious Rites, Pageants, and Drama
Accession date:
1970
Context of use:
Sande Society mask; comments by Warren d'Azevedo: water deer horns on top - protection for fertility; scarification marks: 3 for women - Mende; cowrie on side; ram's horn - medicine; Liberian star and Muslim.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
height 36.5 centimeters
Loans:
S2009-2010 #7: SFO Museum (February 1, 2010–January 20, 2011)