Lot Essay
See Goldwater, R., Bambara Sculpture of Western Sudan, New York, 1960, n.65 for a almost identical antelope headdress in the Kjersmeier collection, Copenhagen.
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FARAGORAN DISTRICT, MALI
Details
A FINE BAMBARA DANCE HEADDRESS
Faragoran District, Mali
Chi wara, carved as an aardvark with curved body and slightly flexed legs on the square base, surmounted by a highly stylised armadillo with openwork panel below the curving body, a pair of incised curved horns above and ears with pierced borders each retaining two metal rings, two faceted vertical projections rising from the body, extensive carved bands of notched ornament, zigzags and circlets, dark patina with traces of red pigment.
12¾ in. (32.5 cm.) high
Faragoran District, Mali
Chi wara, carved as an aardvark with curved body and slightly flexed legs on the square base, surmounted by a highly stylised armadillo with openwork panel below the curving body, a pair of incised curved horns above and ears with pierced borders each retaining two metal rings, two faceted vertical projections rising from the body, extensive carved bands of notched ornament, zigzags and circlets, dark patina with traces of red pigment.
12¾ in. (32.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Julius Carlebach, New York, 1958