This Mende mask, collected in the Ganta region of northern Liberia near the Sierra Leone border, belongs to the tradition of female masks closely associated with the rituals of the Sande society. Although the Mende people’s historical heartland lies in Sierra Leone, their cultural expressions are also found in the adjacent regions of Liberia. Mende masks embody the ideal of female beauty, social maturity, and spiritual authority. Worn during initiations, festivals, and public ceremonies, they were regarded as manifestations of supernatural forces. Incl stand. The composition is dominated by a striking, roof-like crest hairstyle, with carefully plaited braids that emphasize the mask's architectural character. Beneath this rises an exceptionally high, bulbous forehead - converging centrally into a small, comb-like ridge - which draws the eye to the highly stylized facial features. Narrow, slit-like eyes are set deep beneath the forehead, while the small nose and finely modeled mouth appear deliberately understated. Prominent cheekbones and a tapering chin shape the lower face into a striking triangle; together with the roof-like hairstyle, this creates a balanced, almost geometric overall composition. The head rests on a neck defined by four bold rolls - a classic feature of Mende iconography symbolizing prosperity, maturity, and physical beauty. The mask’s compact proportions lend it an impressive sense of monumentality. Its deep, lustrous patina, along with minor chips and signs of abrasion, bears witness to a long history of ritual use and underscores the work's authenticity. Selected Bibliography Boone, Sylvia Ardyn: Radiance from the Waters: Ideals of Feminine Beauty in Mende Art. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1986. Lamp, Frederick John: See the Music, Hear the Dance: Rethinking African Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Munich: Prestel, 2004. Phillips, Ruth B. (ed.): Africa: The Art of a Continent. Munich: Prestel, 1995. Fischer, Eberhard; Homberger, Lorenz: Afrikanische Meisterwerke. Zurich, 1985. Cole, Herbert M.: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington, D.C., 1989. Informant Bakari Bouaflé M/A/Z/1/6/7/4/1/ The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.