Gola Helmet Mask, Liberia

Carlo Monzino, Lugano
Private Collection, Europe, by descent from the above
Sotheby's, New York, November 11, 2004, lot 51
Myron Kunin, Minneapolis, acquired at the above auction

Burkhard Gottschalk, Kunst aus Schwarz-Afrika, Band 4; Bundu: Masken und Statuen aus privaten Sammlungen, Düsseldorf, 2011, p. 144

Very good condition for an object of this type and age. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, small chips and cracks consistent with age and use. Several small metal insertions behind one of the faces. Fine layered, aged patina with remains of white and ochre pigment.
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.

Four-faced masks from the Gola and Vai of the Liberian border area are exceptionally rare. According to Gottschalk (2004: 60), the very first masks of this type were found in the coastal region of Liberia among the Vai, on the Sherbro Islands among the Bullom, and further Northwest among the Bullom in the coastal region of the mainland. As there was much mixing and sharing between not only the Gola and Via, but also the Mende, it is impossible to say which group may have invented the four-faced mask. However, the earliest collection date for such a mask is 1869 for an example today in the American Museum of Natural History (inv. no "17.160"). Another was collected by Zeller in 1885 and a third, one of the oldest, was bought by Büttikofer before 1885 from a missionary called Watson in Tula which is in the Vai region (Historisches Museum, Bern).

The fine old mask from the Kunin collection bears white markings. According to Gottschalk (ibid.), the cross on each forehead and the big dots covering the surface are markings of the yassi, humoi and njayei or njayekoi, small medicine societies found amongst the Mende, Gola, Vai and Bullom. The yassi and njayei mimic dots found painted on young girls. The painted masks of the medicine societies are extremely rare as the societies preferred to work with statues. The Sande society, amongst the Mende by contrast, prefers the more refined and delicate masks which have been painted completely black, the color of motherhood.

The four faces on this mask suggest that nothing can be hidden from the mask as the mask sees everything, depicted as it is with a face looking in all directions. See Gottschalk (1990: 176) for a related mask showing four faces and a flange at the top.