Mémoire d’Afrique — Ref. 269

Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269

Unavailable
Photo 1 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 2 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 3 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 4 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 5 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 6 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 7 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 8 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
Photo 9 — Bundu mask — Mendé, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. 269
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Description

Used in the initiatory ceremonies of the Sande, the women’s secret society of the Mende. It accompanies young girls during their passage into adulthood.
This mask represents the ideal of feminine beauty and spiritual wisdom. The bird perched at the top of the hairstyle symbolises clairvoyance and the link between the earthly world and the spirits. The elaborate hairstyle, composed of stylised braids, reinforces its sacred character.
Carved wood with dark patina, geometric motifs and facial scarifications. The perforated base was used to attach a costume of plant fibres. Overall good state of preservation, with signs of use.

Technical details

Availability
Unavailable
Type of piece
Masque
Category
Masks
Ethnic group
Mendé
Country
Sierra Léone
Materials
wood
Dimensions
H 45 × W 31 × D 31 cm
Weight
4,4 kg
Estimated dating
second half 20th c.
Laboratory test
Not tested
Reference
269