The large pedestal head has bulging eyes, flared nostrils, mustache, and large lips. The soapstone head is carved in a naturalistic style. The heir appears to have a part on the left side. The chin protrudes. The ears resemble earrings. The face is tilted upwards and slightly backwards. The stone exude status and royalty. Many believe they were carved to represent kings and/or chiefs. The stone is in excellent condition.
GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Sierra Leone. The Mande people of the ancient Mali Empire moved south into current day Sierra Leone in the 16th century where they settled and became farmers, hunters, and fishermen. Various descendants of the Mande people, including the Mende, Kissi, and Temne of Sierra Leone found carved stones in their farm fields that they called “nomoli”, for the small stones and “mahe yafei”, for the less common larger stone heads. The Mende refer to these stone carvings as “Rice Gods”. However, no tribal group claims credit for creating the stones.
