Mask African Carved Wood Mende Helmet Mask

$280.00

This is a wonderful old Mende double face Helmet Mask from the people of Sierra Leone. The mask presents an ideal of feminine beauty admired by the Mende: elaborate hairstyle, full forehead and small facial features. The gleaming surface signifies healthy, glowing skin. The swelling fleshy rolls alternating with deep incised lines at the neck or back of the head are considered marks of beauty and a promise of fertility. The neck is broad to fit over the head of the woman who will wear it. Sande officials commission male carvers to produce the mask in secret. The surface is smoothed with the rough leaves of the ficus tree, then dyed black with a concoction made of leaves. Before use, it is anointed with palm oil to make it shine. This great Mende Mask still has some of the blue coloration that was previously used on it. The mask is old and shows some age. A truly wonderful mask to add beauty to your collection. The photos show both sides of the helmet.

19" tall
9" wide
31" round

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Returns & Exchanges

I gladly accept returns and exchanges

Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery

Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery

I don't accept cancellations

But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.

The following items can't be returned or exchanged

Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:

  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Perishable products (like food or flowers)
  • Digital downloads
  • Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
  • Items on sale

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