Description:

From our personal collection, on offer is this classic female chi wara headcrest from the Bambara (Bamana) peoples of Mali. Worn atop the dancer's heads, chi wara are danced in pairs (male & female headcrests) in agricultural rituals promoting the fertility of the land & celebrating the harvest.

Elegant in form with its elongated, graceful & delicate antelope horns, the female chi wara supports her male offspring on her back. Both mother & child are ornamented with appliqués of metal accented with scarlet fabric, cowrie shells, bells, red threads, & natural color 'pom-poms'. With animal hair flowing from their leather-wrapped tips, the striated horns are decorated with metal bands. Scarification patterns highlight both figures.

Overall condition: good. Minor scrapes & abrasions. The piece needs additional support (or shim) to stand. Fine patina. Magical display.

Provenance: Tribal Arts Gallery, Manhattan.

All items carefully packed & shipped after payment received & cleared via PayPal. Unless otherwise specified in the item description, shipping to the U.S. will generally be via USPS Priority Mail, USPS Parcel Post, or UPS. Expedited shipping upgrade is available & optional. Will ship worldwide, with international shipping rates to be determined by buyer's location. Insurance optional/additional. Seller not responsible for any damages incurred during shipping nor for any Customs-related fees for non-U.S. shipments.