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Celebrating the universality of body adornment throughout the ages and across cultures, this newly renovated gallery presents highlights from the MFA…
Conservation of an Egyptian minbar door, Mamluk period, 1382–98: December 2013
Conservation of an Egyptian minbar door, Mamluk period, 1382–98: February 2014
ELLIOT BOSTWICK DAVIS: This picture was one that we really designed much of level 1 around, it was so important to us. It had really not been on view consistently, and it had never been on view with its original frame before, because we really didn’t have the space. It’s virtually a life size portrait. But it’s something new. Sully here was quite innovative and showed a great deal of inspiration in creating what he called an ‘historical portrait.’
[WIND, FIRE CRACKLING, BIRDS SQUAWKING]
NARRATOR: This mask is different from every other mask in this gallery… because it would have been worn and performed by a woman. Female masking performances are rare in Africa. The Sowei mask plays an important role in the all-female Sande Society. This society is a lifelong network of women among the Vai, Mende and neighboring peoples in present-day Sierra Leone.