Sowo Mask

Mende, African
On View

in

African: Journey of Life, Level 1, North Wing

  • About the Artwork

    Please note: This section is empty

  • Markings

    Please note: This section is empty

    This section contains information about signatures, inscriptions and/or markings an object may have.

  • Provenance

    Please note: This section is empty

    Provenance is a record of an object's ownership. We are continually researching and updating this information to show a more accurate record and to ensure that this object was ethically and legally obtained.

    For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:

    Provenance page
  • Exhibition History

    Please note: This section is empty

    The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

    We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

    Suggest Feedback
  • Published References

    Please note: This section is empty

    We regularly update our object record as new research and findings emerge, and we welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

    Suggest Feedback
  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Please note: This section is empty

    A catalogue raisonné is an annotated listing of artworks created by an artist across different media.

  • Credit Line for Reproduction

    Please note: This section is empty

    The credit line includes information about the object, such as the artist, title, date, and medium. Also listed is its ownership, the manner in which it was acquired, and its accession number. This information must be cited alongside the object whenever it is shown or reproduced.

About the Artwork

All Mende women are members of the Sande society, which instructs girls in their responsibilities and protects the rights of women in the community. The features of this mask convey Mende ideals of female morality and physical beauty. The downcast eyes indicate a spiritual nature and the high forehead indicates good fortune; the elaborate hairstyle reveals close ties within the community of women. This mask would have been worn with a costume of black raffia that completely hides the identity of the individual.

Sowo Mask

between 19th and 20th century

----------

----------

African

Mende

Wood with pigment

Overall: 15 13/16 × 9 × 10 1/2 inches (40.2 × 22.9 × 26.7 cm)

Sculpture

African Art

Founders Society Purchase, New Endowment Fund

1990.268

Copyright Not Evaluated

Markings

Please note: This section is empty

Provenance

(Merton D. Simpson Gallery, New York, New York, USA);
1990-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

Please note: This section is empty

The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

Suggest Feedback

Published References

Kan, Michael, African Masterworks In The Detroit Institute of Arts. Washington, 1995, cat. no. 14.

Kindly share your feedback or any additional information, as this record is still a work in progress and may need further refinement.

Suggest Feedback

Catalogue Raisoneé

Please note: This section is empty

Credit Line for Reproduction

Mende, African, Sowo Mask, between 19th and 20th century, wood with pigment. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, New Endowment Fund, 1990.268.

Sowo Mask
Sowo Mask