The soapstone head of a bald man looking upward shows dignity and pride. The carving has large bulging eyes, large ears, clearly defined lips and nose, and a slender neck. The carving bears customary characteristics of a modern-day soapstone carving. The stone is in good condition.
GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Sierra Leone, Mende. The ancestors (Mande) of Mende people moved south into current day Sierra Leone in the 16th century where they settled and became farmers, hunters, and fishermen. Farmers found ancient stone figures in their fields. The steatite or soapstone figures were called nomoli. Other tribes refer to the figures by different names. Twentieth century Sierra Leone artists found the steatite stone used by ancient carvers and started to carve these stones creating contemporary soapstone carvings.
