A MENDI CARVED WOOD CEREMONIAL HELMET MASK, SIERRA LEON, of hollow form with an elaborate combed and braided hairstyle, over a rounded forehead and deep stylized eyes above scarification cheek details and a short neck of large horizontal rolls, on a slightly flaring base with suspension holes for raffia costume. A virtually identical Mendi mask was sold Christie's Paris, Art Africain et Oceanien, Tuesday, 20 June 2006, lot 18. Height: 19 3/4" Provenance: Acquired from Ladislas Segy, Director of the Segy Gallery, New York City, New York, November 1951.