Large Female Bamana/Bambara Chiwara Carved Wood Figure Headdress from Mali - 40" H X 13.5" D X 3" W

Bamana/Bambara dancers used these 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, has beadwork on the face, an amazing dark brown patina and is mounted 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, Warm Minimalism, Japandi... to Wabi Sabi or Coastal Modern Design. 

If you also purchase the male counterpart to this item, receive a 15% discount (off the total price of both items) and have a perfect male and female pair. Email us for details.  

Place of Origin: Mali

Date of Manufacture: 1950s

Condition: Excellent.

Wear: Minor loss to child/offspring’s right ear which is consistent with age and use. Please refer to pictures.

Dimensions:

Figure: 38 in. H X 3 in. W X 13.5 in. D

Base: 9 in. L X 6n in. W X 2 in. H

Total: 40 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.