South Saharan Classical Headress From Mali.
Bambara peoples, a crisply carved classical dance crest, nomenclature, a chiwarra, the antelope with young, the celebration, among other things, the coming of age of the young.
An honest carving, all indications of about 1920-30, no embellishments to imply age or gunked up surface or intentional 'repairs', no manure burial, no applied surface. Precisely and carefully carved by a master of these, a most important tribal form, as distant from all other African social forms, this one is a particularly nice example. Fine original condition and surface, 27.25" x 7".