Mémoire d’Afrique — Ref. 265

Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265

Photo 1 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 2 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 3 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 4 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 5 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 6 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 7 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 8 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 9 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
Photo 10 — Helmet mask — Koranko, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 265
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Description

Originating from the Koranko people, this helmet mask is used in the initiatory rituals of Poro, a secret society that governs spiritual and social life. It probably embodies a protective spirit linked to ancestors or to nature. Its zoomorphic form, with its upright horns and imposing appearance, may represent a sacred bovid, an antelope or a mythological being.
The mask is carved from dense wood and displays an old patina attesting to its use. It is embellished with natural fibres and still-visible sacrificial materials. Its state of preservation shows wear consistent with its age, reinforcing its authenticity.

Technical details

Type of piece
Masque
Category
Masks
Ethnic group
Koranko
Country
Sierra Léone
Materials
wood, poils, fabric, fibre végétale
Dimensions
H 104 × W 30 × D 21 cm
Weight
6,4 kg
Estimated dating
second half 20th c.
Laboratory test
Not tested
Reference
265