Vani Sona (ca. 1885–1951). <em>Sande society mask (sowei)</em>, 20th century. Wood, pigment, 16 x 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 in. (40.6 x 19.7 x 26 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund and Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, by exchange, 69.39.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 69.39.2_edited_SL1.jpg)

Sande society mask (sowei)

Artist:Vani SonaMende

Medium: Wood, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:20th century

Dimensions: 16 x 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 in. (40.6 x 19.7 x 26 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 69.39.2

Image: 69.39.2_edited_SL1.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Female with European style crown as headdress. Bulging forehead with features clustered in bottom half of face. Large coffee bean eyes with slits, small nose and mouth. Plump ringed neck, small flat ears. Hair is indicated by relief diamond pattern. Crown has flower and leaf pattern surmounted by four bridges joined to a central knob. Holes around bottom of mask for attachment of costume. Crown headress supposedly taken from coins of Queen Victoria. Condition: Excellent; scattered small nicks all over, rim crack above right ear and at back left of crown.

Brooklyn Museum