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20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture
Sold by Artsonline
sold SA1238193
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20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

1940 - 1960
Sold by Artsonline
Sold 1 January 1900 · Artsonline
This “20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture” found a buyer.

It was listed by Artsonline. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

20thC African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Brief Description:

This is a striking 20th-century West African carved wooden ceremonial staff finial or sculptural staff, displaying characteristics associated with the artistic traditions of the Mende and neighbouring Sherbro peoples of Sierra Leone.

The impressive hand-carved piece takes the form of a highly stylised human head surmounted by an extraordinary sweeping headdress, its long curved side elements framing the face and terminating alongside the cheeks.

The carving displays numerous details associated with traditional West African figurative sculpture, including downcast almond-shaped eyes, pronounced lips, geometric facial markings, finely worked forehead decoration and an extensively patterned cylindrical neck and lower body.

Particularly appealing is the wonderfully sculptural headdress, decorated throughout with small punched motifs and incorporating an unusual eye-shaped device to both front and rear. The lower section is extensively carved with alternating chevron, lattice and geometric patterns.

The pronounced double neck rings and stylised facial treatment show particularly strong affinities with the Sowei/Bundu artistic tradition of Sierra Leone. Comparable museum collections record Mende ceremonial staffs terminating in female heads modelled after Sowei masks, with distinctive segmented or ringed necks. National Museum of African Art

The piece has developed a very attractive warm brown surface with darker colouring within the recesses of the carving, giving excellent definition to the hand-worked decoration.

Attributes:

Origin: West Africa / Sierra Leone

Culture: Mende or Sherbro tradition/attribution

Type: Ceremonial Staff Finial / Figurative Sculpture

Material: Hand-Carved Wood

Period: Mid 20th Century

Condition:

The carving is presented in very good overall condition considering its age, with a rich and attractive surface patina.

There is expected age-related wear throughout, including minor drying cracks, old marks, rubbing, small surface losses and areas of natural wear to the timber. These characteristics are entirely consistent with the nature and age of the piece and, in my view, add considerably to its visual character.

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 21.8'' | 55.3 cm

Width: 7.4'' | 18.7 cm

Depth: 7.4'' | 18.7 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome

Image result for payments accepted logos

Secure-Payment-VPADeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-006486-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card

Physical Dimensions
Height
55.3cm (21.77")
Width
18.7cm (7.36")
Depth
18.7cm (7.36")
Declaration

Artsonline has dated this Carved Wood African Sculpture to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1238193
Dealers Notes

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Description
20thC African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Brief Description:

This is a striking 20th-century West African carved wooden ceremonial staff finial or sculptural staff, displaying characteristics associated with the artistic traditions of the Mende and neighbouring Sherbro peoples of Sierra Leone.

fig 1. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 1. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

The impressive hand-carved piece takes the form of a highly stylised human head surmounted by an extraordinary sweeping headdress, its long curved side elements framing the face and terminating alongside the cheeks.

fig 2. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 2. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

The carving displays numerous details associated with traditional West African figurative sculpture, including downcast almond-shaped eyes, pronounced lips, geometric facial markings, finely worked forehead decoration and an extensively patterned cylindrical neck and lower body.

“
Particularly appealing is the wonderfully sculptural headdress, decorated throughout with small punched motifs and incorporating an unusual eye-shaped device to both front and rear.
Artsonline

The lower section is extensively carved with alternating chevron, lattice and geometric patterns.

fig 3. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 3. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

The pronounced double neck rings and stylised facial treatment show particularly strong affinities with the Sowei/Bundu artistic tradition of Sierra Leone. Comparable museum collections record Mende ceremonial staffs terminating in female heads modelled after Sowei masks, with distinctive segmented or ringed necks. National Museum of African Art

fig 4. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 4. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

The piece has developed a very attractive warm brown surface with darker colouring within the recesses of the carving, giving excellent definition to the hand-worked decoration.

Attributes:

Origin: West Africa / Sierra Leone

fig 5. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 5. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Culture: Mende or Sherbro tradition/attribution

Type: Ceremonial Staff Finial / Figurative Sculpture

Material: Hand-Carved Wood

Period: Mid 20th Century

Condition:

The carving is presented in very good overall condition considering its age, with a rich and attractive surface patina.

fig 6. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 6. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

There is expected age-related wear throughout, including minor drying cracks, old marks, rubbing, small surface losses and areas of natural wear to the timber. These characteristics are entirely consistent with the nature and age of the piece and, in my view, add considerably to its visual character.

fig 7. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 7. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 21.8'' | 55.3 cm

Width: 7.4'' | 18.7 cm

Depth: 7.4'' | 18.7 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

fig 8. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 8. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

fig 9. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 9. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

fig 10. A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
fig 10. 20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome

Image result for payments accepted logos

Secure-Payment-VPADeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-006486-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card

Height
55.3cm (21.77")
Width
18.7cm (7.36")
Depth
18.7cm (7.36")
Date of Manufacture

Artsonline has dated this Carved Wood African Sculpture to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1238193
Artsonline
Artsonline
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2018

Specialising in fine art & quality pottery - worldwide delivery - secure payments

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Artsonline Profile Page

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A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

20thc African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture

Archive II A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View II
Archive III A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View III
Archive IV A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View IV
Archive V A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View V
Archive VI A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View VI
Archive VII A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View VII
Archive VIII A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View VIII
Archive IX A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View IX
Archive X A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View X
Archive XI A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View XI
Archive XII A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Artsonline

Artsonline
Telephone 0778 408 5135 or 01749 595 507
Location
Bristol
Avon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/artsonline
Verified Since Dec 2018
Items For Sale 348
Items Sold 233
Artsonline
Artsonline
Verified Since Dec 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/artsonline
Verified
Dec 2018
For Sale
348
Sold
233
A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
20thC African Mende Sowei Carved Wood Ceremonial Staff Finial Sculpture
Ref: SA1238193
A carved brown wooden African Mende Sowei staff finial depicting a stylised head with crest, mounted on a square black plinth.
Detail View 1
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculpture
  • Period1940 - 1960
  • StyleWest African Tribal
  • MaterialCarved Hardwood
  • ColourMedium Brown
  • MotifsStylised human face, Chevron carved patterns, Overhanging headpiece crest
  • SizeH 55.3 cm (22 in) x W 18.7 cm (7 in) x D 18.7 cm (7 in)

This mid twentieth century West African ceremonial staff finial comes from the Mende or Sherbro tradition of Sierra Leone and is sculpted from hand-carved hardwood. The medium brown timber possesses a warm surface patina with darker tones settling within the recessed carvings. The sculpture takes the form of a stylised human face featuring downcast almond-shaped eyes, geometric markings on the cheeks, and pronounced lips. A sweeping, overhanging headpiece rests above the brow, decorated with small punched motifs and an eye-shaped device on the front and rear. Below the head, the cylindrical neck and lower section display prominent double mouldings and alternating chevron, lattice, and geometric patterns. Minor drying cracks, old marks, rubbing, and small surface losses appear across the timber from age-related wear. Measuring 55.3 cm high, 18.7 cm wide, and 18.7 cm deep, the sculpture is mounted securely on a separate square black plinth. It works well displayed on a bookshelf or within a gentleman's library setting.

FAQs

Originating from West Africa, particularly the Mende people of Sierra Leone and Liberia, Sowei carvings are traditional iconographic items associated with the Sande society. They typically feature stylized high-forehead headpieces and neck rings symbolizing health, spiritual power, and cultural ideals.

These pieces are hand-carved from a single block of dense indigenous hardwood using traditional adzes and chisels. The surface finish is achieved using natural plant dyes, oils, or polished charring to darken and protect the timber.

Authentic period carvings display irregular hand-tool marks, natural age cracking along the wood grain, and a soft patina created by handling and atmospheric exposure over time. Original mounting points or wear at the base of staff finials also indicate historic functionality.

Mounted on a clean museum-style display stand, a carved wooden finial functions well as a sculptural accent on a bookcase, mantelpiece, or console table. Its neutral timber tone complements contemporary minimalist, eclectic, and dark academia interior schemes.

Keep the sculpture in a dry environment away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent timber shrinkage or splitting. Dust regularly with a soft dry brush or microfiber cloth, avoiding water, solvents, or harsh chemical polishes.
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