Temne Janus Helmet Mask, Sierra Leone

Hélène and Philippe Leloup, New York and Paris
Allan Stone, New York

Hélène and Philippe Leloup (adv.), African Arts, May 1987, Vol. XX, No. 3, p. 27
Christie's New York, Selections from the Allan Stone Collection, November 12, 2007, illustrated on p. 193

Good condition for an object of this age, materials, and rare type. Age cracks, including an open crack to one side to rim below one ear. Metal attachments are tarnished with dents, bends, lifting, and small losses. Remains of mica inlay are fragile with cracks and losses, as seen on photographs. Metal frame of mirror is rusted and glass is cracked with loss. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, and small chips consistent with age and use. Fine aged grey patina with residue.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present mask relates to group of examples collected before World War II identified by W.A. Hart (1987: 68-74) as originating with the Temne of Sierra Leone.  This extremely rare type of mask features facial morphology including a large projecting forehead, a long, half-column shaped nose, and small, close-set eyes, and a small horizontal mouth. These masks are frequently covered with strips of repoussé-decorated metal, and several examples are of helmet-form.  An example previously in the Hooper Collection was subsequently in the collection of Allan Stone (op. cit., fig. 9); others in the group with early provenance are today in the British Museum, London, the Field Museum, Chicago and the Museum für Völkerkunde, Munich.

The Stone Temne mask is unique in the known corpus in that it is of Janus-form.  The sculptural quality is also exceptional, of elaborate and elegantly symmetrical design, with massive, gently rounded forms, and deep, V-shaped profiles. Supporting the attribution to Sierra Leone, where some of the only African sculptural traditions using stone are found, is the use of lustrous pieces of the mineral mica, attached to the surface in panels bordered by metal lattice.