This monumental antique headdress represents the Ci Wara tradition of the Bamana people of Mali, one of the most celebrated forms of African masquerade art. Ci Wara headdresses, carved in the form of a roan antelope or gazelle, were historically worn atop a woven cap during agricultural masquerade performances honoring a mythical being credited with teaching humans how to farm. This towering example features an elongated snout, dramatically arched neck, and soaring vertical horns, all rendered with chip-carved geometric motifs traditional to Bamana woodcarving. Traces of original ritual pigment remain visible across the surface. The carving displays the rich, deeply worn patina typical of pieces that saw genuine ceremonial use, along with some natural losses consistent with age. Now mounted on a custom iron stand, it stands as a dramatic sculptural centerpiece honoring this important agricultural and spiritual tradition.

• *Era: Late 19th / Early 20th Century
• *Size: 25“(L) x 6“(D) x 51“(H)
• *Material: Solid Hand-Carved Hardwood on Custom Iron Stand
• *Color: Dark Brown
• *Features: Elongated snout; towering vertical horns; chip-carved geometric motifs; traces of original ritual pigment.
• *Origin: Mali (Bamana Tribe)
• *Condition: Original Antique Condition. Displays authentic ritual wear, natural deep-grain checking, a rich time-earned patina, and some missing fragments.

(Requires White Glove Delivery)

• **Please bear in mind that colors of products shown may vary slightly from their original color due to monitor display settings or photography studio.

Specifications

• Material: Solid hand-carved hardwood with custom iron stand
• Dimensions: 25"L x 6"D x 51"H
• Origin: Late 19th/Early 20th century; Bamana Ci Wara agricultural masquerade tradition; carved hardwood, Mali
• Era: Late 19th/Early 20th Century
• Condition: Original antique condition; authentic ritual wear, natural deep-grain checking, rich time-earned patina, some missing fragments
• Special Detail: Elongated snout with towering vertical horns and chip-carved geometric motifs; traces of original ritual pigments; worn historically as a Ci Wara masquerade crest