This is the rating and price for African Bamana Male Chi Wara Crest Mask, 2012

Description : Africa, Mali, Segu, Kenedougou district, Bamana, ca. 1920-1930. A large and magnificent male Chi Wara mask, so skillfully carved with an intricate composition and marvelous embellishment with cowrie shells, pierced brass plate, red cloth, and brass crotle. Often described as an antelope, the Chi Wara is actually a composite animal - part antelope, part aardvark, and part pangolin. All of these animals are creatures that dig up the earth, while antelopes carve the ground with their hooves, the aardvark and pangolin use their claws to excavate termite mounds. This communion with the earth makes them ideal components of the Chi Wara, the supernatural being believed to have taught the Bamana people how to farm. Historically, such masks were worn by male and female pairs in a dance performance that praised skilled farmers. Note the bells attached to the ears and the cowrie shells suspended from the ears and snout. One can just imagine the sonorous jingles such a mask would produce as the performers dances! The creator of this particular mask emphasized the broad neck and mane of the roan antelope. The vertical horns resemble those of both the roan and oryx antelopes. The body, with its big ears, short legs and thick tail, suggests the aardvark, while the incised surfaces suggest the scales of the pangolin. A bold and breathtaking mask that demonstrates a high level of skill with its expert carving, carefully pierced and crafted metalwork (brass crotle and pierced brass plate) applied to the face and horns, and overall beautiful composition. Measures 40 (102 cm) tall x 14(36 cm) deep. A very similar example realized $47,500 at Christies, New York, May 10, 2012, Sale 2661, Lot 20. This example is also very similar to a male Chi Wara mask (accession # 73-7-56) in the Smithsonian Institution collection, see Provenance: Ex-B. Pickard private collection, Oklahoma City, OK, Ex-Ron Perry collection, acquired in 1950s-1965. Mr. Perry was a cartographer who surveyed Papua New Guinea before it attained nationhood. Works from his collection have been featured in major museum exhibitions. Mr. Perry is also the author of a book entitled Art Dealer in the Last Unknown(2011), Ex-Teri Beals private collection, acquired in 1980. 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. #102638
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