Pair of Bamana Headcrests, Mali

Alan Brandt, New York
Private Collection, acquired from the above in the late 1960s

Excellent condition overall. Marks, nicks, scratches, and abrasions consistent with age and use. Exceptionally fine dark brown glossy patina with encrustation. Well-patinated oxidized metal element. For the male figure, crack just below the chin. An old loss to the open work. Two small areas of restoration to the open work in the lower register. Back left leg has a loss due to knot in the wood.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

While the mythology of the Bamana peoples generally revolved around agriculture, the ci wara society, a society within the Bamana group, emphatically devoted its ritual practices to the successful cultivation of crops and a fruitful farming season. These ci wara headdresses are emblematic of antelopes: the male figure’s tall, elegant horns suggest the potent energy and endurance that drove farmers as they worked in the fields, and the female figure appears with her baby on her back, alluding to the fertility both of those who thrived off the land and also of the land itself. Members of the ci wara depicted other animals in their ceremonial objects too, such as anteaters and pangolins, and they featured these headcrests in agricultural contests, performances for entertainment, and annual celebrations.