A BAMBARA ANTELOPE HEADDRESS
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A BAMBARA ANTELOPE HEADDRESS

SOGONI KOUN-CHI WARA

細節
A BAMBARA ANTELOPE HEADDRESS
Sogoni koun-chi wara
Carved as a stylised mule supporting an antelope on which is seated a female figure, the animal's body carved as three chevrons, two tall curved horns to the rear, crusty black patina
47cm. high
展覽
African and New Guinea Sculpture from the Josef Herman Collection, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, 1969, no.53
注意事項
Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20% (VAT inclusive) for this lot.

拍品專文

Cf. an most identical dance crest (but with a male figure) from the Bougouni district, in the collection of Gaston de Havenon (Goldwater, R., Bambara Sculpture from the Western Sudan, New York, 1960, p.47, fig.75).
In his article "Sogoni koun" (African Arts, February 1981, Vol.XIV, no.2, pp.38-44) P.J. Imperato describes how this rare form of crest originated amongst the Wallalunke (a group of mixed Malinke/Fulani origin) and was adopted by their Bambara neighbours, stimulated by the migration of young men seeking work in the fields. As with chi-wara, it is danced in connection with agriculture and many villages perform both masquerades, the difference being specified in the costumes - those for chi wara being loose and mobile, sogoni koun well fitted. The lowest element of the crest represents a horse, mule or donkey, the upper a roan antelope on which is carved a female figure to enhance its femininity (a male would enhance masculinity)