Lot #001
Helmet Mask (Bundu/Bondo), Mende People, Sierra Leone
Carved Wooden Bundu (Bondo) Helmet Mask, Sande Society, Mende People, Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Traditional crested form with ringed neck and compact, triangular face below. Given that four other examples by this particular carver share these traits, both the unusually tall crests and pyramidal amulet seem to be his hallmarks.
Additional carving at interior-top probably for insertion of medicine bundle though the near absence of wear indicates this mask was virtually unused.
An example by the same carver exhibiting significant wear was sold by Sothebys in 1977. It’s in part because of this date that it’s plausible to assume a carver working in the 1940s or 1950s.
CONDITION
Cracks along formal right side of the face as pictured. Abraded/worn natural pigmentation/color overall. Extremely fine, thin-walled carving with cracks along formal right side of the face.
PROVENANCE
Private collection, UK
Private collection, New York
Dimensions
Weight
Estimate
Starting bid
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