Bassa Helmet Mask, Liberia or Sierra Leone

Thomas D. Slater, Indianapolis
Robert M. and Lillian Montalto Bohlen, Andover

A related mask is preserved at the Musée Barbier-Mueller in Geneva (inv. no. "B-M 1003-26").  In her discussion of the Barbier-Mueller mask, Hahner-Herzog (1997: pl. 29) notes: "This helmet mask represents a type worn by members of the [sande] women's society at funeral services, festive receptions, in the context of adjudication, and especially during and after initiations of new members into the society.  The hierarchically ordered [sande], like its male complement, the [poro] society, has for centuries been one of the central social institutions in Sierra Leone, in some areas of Guinea, and in parts of Liberia."

While originally an institution of the neighboring Mende, the Bassa adopted the sande masquerade and interpreted the helmet masks it with their own aesthetic language. Bassa sande society masks are distinguished by their highly naturalistic style and emotional expression. The Bohlen Mask, displaying an archaic style and signs of great age, can be considered one of the archetypal examples of this blend of Mende and Bassa artistic traditions. It is a masterpiece of African art.