West Africa. Mendes. Important helmet mask. The Mende are a people living in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea Bissau. Their number is approximately 700,000 individuals who came from Sudan between the 2nd and 16th centuries. This beautiful mask was usually worn by women's societies on the occasion of solemn celebrations, during the exercise of justice, funeral and initiation ceremonies. The eyes are elongated and half-closed, the lips are delicately drawn and the nose of great finesse and the forehead serene. H. 42cm. ( Africa, African art, Civilization and ethnic groups)

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