An important and ancient female statue of the Njayei society, scarified on the body and displaying all the classic attributes of such a sculpture. Her chest symbolizes fertility, her posture illustrates physical and mental strength, her ringed neck expresses prosperity as well as beauty, she is adorned with a pearl belt and sports a beautiful traditional hairstyle so characteristic and recognizable in particular through the Bundu heaumes masks used for Sandé initiation for young women. Mende, Sierra Leone Hardwood, beads, visible missing parts (old breaks), wear, significant erosion (woodborers), and old cracks, restorations (broken-glued arms, original parts), superb old patina. Height: 80cm Provenance: Mario Meneghini Collection Mario Meneghini Collection Johann Lévy, Paris Enchères Rive Gauche, Paris, September 8, 2011, no. 117 Stéphane Kurc Collection, Paris Exhibition and Publication: Vilmorin, Gloire de la femme dans l'art africain, Palais des Arts, Dinard, June 28 - September 14 2008, p.125, n°J12