Search Price Results
Wish

LOT 0082

20th C. African Mali Wood ChiWara / Ritual Mask

[ translate ]

**Originally Listed At $650**

West Africa, Mali, Bamana (also Bambara or Banmana), ca. early 20th century CE. A beautiful example of a Chiwara (also Tji Wara), a ritual mask used by the Bamana people in dances and rituals. This horizontal, antelope-shaped carving, would have been perched atop a basketry base and worn with a raffia costume by a dancer. It features short, bent legs on a flat integral base, a long arched body with a raised tail embellished with painted hide and animal hair, a long neck wrapped in hide and strands of red glass beads, a large head with pointed ears, an open mouth with a revealed tongue, a tassel on the forehead, extremely long, curved horns, and twisted fiber strands, cowry shell, and a blue bead adorning the buttocks. Size: 14.9" L x 11.9" H (37.8 cm x 30.2 cm)

To the Bamana peoples, the antelope is regarded as a mythical being who taught humankind how to farm. The word tji means "work" and the word wara means "animal". Hence, tji wara means "working animal."

Provenance: ex-private Dr. Peter Horvath collection, Massachusetts and Florida, USA; ex-Old private New England, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#156725
Condition Report: Fissure near tip of one horn, with small chips along break lines without adhesive. Abrasions and fading to brown pigment, with light encrustations in some recessed areas, and age-commensurate desiccation to fibrous components, and loosening to head atop neck. Fine, deep, oily, saturated, aged patina.

[ translate ]

View it on
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
20 Jan 2022
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock

[ translate ]

**Originally Listed At $650**

West Africa, Mali, Bamana (also Bambara or Banmana), ca. early 20th century CE. A beautiful example of a Chiwara (also Tji Wara), a ritual mask used by the Bamana people in dances and rituals. This horizontal, antelope-shaped carving, would have been perched atop a basketry base and worn with a raffia costume by a dancer. It features short, bent legs on a flat integral base, a long arched body with a raised tail embellished with painted hide and animal hair, a long neck wrapped in hide and strands of red glass beads, a large head with pointed ears, an open mouth with a revealed tongue, a tassel on the forehead, extremely long, curved horns, and twisted fiber strands, cowry shell, and a blue bead adorning the buttocks. Size: 14.9" L x 11.9" H (37.8 cm x 30.2 cm)

To the Bamana peoples, the antelope is regarded as a mythical being who taught humankind how to farm. The word tji means "work" and the word wara means "animal". Hence, tji wara means "working animal."

Provenance: ex-private Dr. Peter Horvath collection, Massachusetts and Florida, USA; ex-Old private New England, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#156725
Condition Report: Fissure near tip of one horn, with small chips along break lines without adhesive. Abrasions and fading to brown pigment, with light encrustations in some recessed areas, and age-commensurate desiccation to fibrous components, and loosening to head atop neck. Fine, deep, oily, saturated, aged patina.

[ translate ]
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
20 Jan 2022
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock
View it on