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THBLarge 20th C. Bamana Wood & Rattan Chiwara Headdress
Lot 224b
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jun 10, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-06-10 10:00:00
2021-06-10 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-7012
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Viking, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Viking, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (408)
- Lot Description
West Africa, Mali, Bamana (also Bambara), ca. early 20th century CE. A fantastic example of a Chiwara (also Chi Wara, Ci Wara) headdress depicting a tall antelope standing with attenuated legs atop an integral rectangular plinth. The zoomorphic creature features a slender body with an upturned tail, a craned neck, and curving rows filled with zigzagging bars all stamped with dense, repeating triangular motifs. The elongated ungulate face is lined with red felt and copper panels adorned with repousse stippling, and a majestic pair of spiraling horns rise above the head and terminate with slightly curved tips. The carved wooden antelope is secured to a domed rattan hat via strands of jute. A fascinating headdress from the Bamana peoples! Size: 7" W x 39.5" H (17.8 cm x 100.3 cm)
Often described as an antelope, the Chi Wara is actually a composite animal – part antelope, part aardvark, and part pangolin. All of these animals are creatures that dig up the earth; while antelopes carve the ground with their hooves, the aardvark and pangolin use their claws to excavate termite mounds. This communion with the earth makes them ideal components of the Chi Wara, the supernatural being believed to have taught the Bamana people how to farm.
Historically, such masks were worn by male and female pairs in a dance performance that praised skilled farmers. The creator of this particular mask emphasized the elongated body of a roan antelope; the vertical horns resemble those of both the roan and oryx antelopes and are also said to resemble millet stalks. The body, with its big ears and short legs, suggests the aardvark, while the incised surfaces suggest the scales of the pangolin. The dancer for whom such masks are intended, traditionally wears raffia stalks that symbolize flowing water as well as a fruitful harvest. The zig-zag motifs reference the sun's movement across the sky. A bold and breathtaking mask that demonstrates a high level of skill with its expert carving and overall beautiful composition.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Thomas McNemar collection, New York, USA
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#163561Repairs to tail and back of integral plinth, with some loosening to proper right ear, with adhesive residue along break lines. Fraying and loosening to some jute cords atop rattan hat, with slight bending to overall form of rattan hat. Wearable as shown. Great patina throughout.Condition
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