Untitled [helmet]
Name/Title
Untitled [helmet]Entry/Object ID
2001.145Description
HelmetArtwork Details
Medium
WoodContext
The Sande society of the Mende culture in Sierra Leone, Africa is a female secret society that brings in the girls of the village who entering puberty. This is one of the few masquerades in African culture that is performed and owned by women. The masquerade and society itself is supposed to represent the transition to womanhood. And the formal qualities of the mask represent that concept as well. The mask is shaped like a cocoon to represent the metamorphosis of becoming a woman. The physical features of the face on the mask express the high beautiful qualities that are admired in the culture. The small mouth representing self control, dark shiny outside skin which represents the glowing inner spirit.Acquisition
Notes
Collection of DePaul University, gift of the May Weber FoundationMade/Created
Artist
Unknown artistNotes
Creation Date: no dateEthnography
Notes
Sierra Leone, West Africa Mende West Africa, Sierra LeoneLexicon
Getty AAT
Concept
wood (plant material), plant material, biological material, materials (substances), Mende, peripheral Mande styles, Mande, West African (general), African (general, continental cultures), ceremonial masks, masks (costume), costume (mode of fashion), adolescence, life stages, biological concepts, scientific concepts, aesthetics, philosophy, humanities, disciplines (concept)Hierarchy Name
Materials (hierarchy name), Styles and Periods (hierarchy name), Costume (hierarchy name), Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name), Associated Concepts (hierarchy name), Disciplines (hierarchy name)Facet
Materials Facet, Styles and Periods Facet, Objects Facet, Associated Concepts Facet, Activities FacetDimensions
Dimension Description
overallWidth
9 inDepth
9-1/4 inLength
14 inExhibitions
Human Bodies in the Spirit World: African Sculpture from the Weber Collection
The Body and Art: African Sculpture from the Permanent Collection