Female Bamana/Bambara Chiwara Carved Wood Figure Headdress with Cap from Mali - 42.5" H X 8.25" D X 2.25" W

Bamana/Bambara dancers used these Chiwara headpieces during ceremonies which occurred during pre-planting and harvesting months to portray humanized antelopes. This piece depicts a female antelope with child/offspring and has two long curved horns with pierced openwork designs. Its body is covered with incised decoration, an amazing dark brown patina and is special because it also includes the original cap resting on a new acrylic base. 

It is a great representation of the vertical style of the Eastern Bamana with openwork carving representing the mane and neck of the antelope. African sculpture such as this will stand out while complementing any décor taste from Mid-Century, Organic-Inspired, California Casual, Japandi... to Wabi Sabi or Coastal Modern Design.   

Place of Origin: Mali

Date of Manufacture: 1950s-1960s

Condition: Excellent.

Wear: Consistent with age and use. Minor loss to right horn on child/offspring. Please refer to pictures. 

Dimensions:

Figure: 34.5 in. H X 2.25 in. W X 8.25 in. D

Hat: 3.25 in. H X 7.25 in. Diam.

Base: 8 in. Diam. X 1 in. H

Total: 42.5 in. H  

Reference: 

The Met

Penn Museum

Cincinnati Art Museum

Birmingham Museum of Art

Spurlock Museum of World Cultures at the University of Illinois

University of Missouri Museum of Art & Archaeology

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico

Explore more African Carved Wood at Our Taste Design.