Large Female Bamana/Bambara Chiwara Carved Wood Figure Headdress from Mali - 41" H X 13.5" D X 3" 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 two children/offspring and has two long curved horns. Its body is covered with incised decoration, an amazing dark brown patina and is mounted on an 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, Industrial/Loft, Organic-Inspired, California Casual, Japandi... to Wabi Sabi or Coastal Modern Design.  

Place of Origin: Mali

Date of Manufacture: 1950s-1960s

Condition: Very Good

Wear: Crack in body of mother that has been repaired along with crack in wood between first child/offspring and mother's back. The piece is structurally sound and these are consistent with age and use. Please refer to pictures.

Dimensions:

Figure: 39 in. H X 3 in. W X 13.5 in. D

Base: 2 in. H X 5n in. W X 9 in. L

Total: 41 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.