{"product_id":"mende-sowei-sande-society-helmet-mask-on-custom-stand-liberia-matter-collection-154045","title":"Mende Sowei Sande Society Helmet Mask on Custom Stand Liberia MATTER COLLECTION","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex-1 overflow-hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-ewzwc-79elbk h-full\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-ewzwc-1n7m0yu\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-9\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full text-token-text-primary\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"7b6a064a-fd8f-4048-990e-b11ea5bf3911\" class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mende Sowei Sande Society Helmet Mask of Liberia is a remarkable cultural artifact deeply rooted in the traditions of the Mende and neighboring peoples. Crafted from wood, it embodies the spiritual essence of the Sande society, an all-female association responsible for initiation rites and cultural education. Adorned with intricate carvings and often embellished with shells, beads, and pigment, the mask represents ideals of feminine beauty, wisdom, and authority. Typically worn during ceremonial dances and rituals, it serves as a symbol of the society's power and influence in guiding young women through their passage into womanhood, while also embodying a rich artistic legacy of West African craftsmanship and symbolism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ci\u003eProvenance: Matter Collection\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLooks like an indigenous repair on the side. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeight (in) \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e15.0\u003cbr\u003eWidth (in) 8.0\u003cbr\u003eDepth (in) 10.0\u003cbr\u003eOff the stand: 13.0 inches height\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e154045\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51217253499175,"sku":"154045","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_9798_5748e616-f2f4-4493-81e5-4d7e34fea593.jpg?v=1774975742","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/mende-sowei-sande-society-helmet-mask-on-custom-stand-liberia-matter-collection-154045","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}