Bamana Chi Wara (Tyiwara) Headdress with Cowrie Shell Adornments, Mali, Early–Mid 20th Century
Original price was: € 350,00.€ 150,00Current price is: € 150,00.
An authentic Bamana (Bambara) Chi Wara headdress from Mali, finely hand-carved in the stylized antelope form symbolic of agriculture and fertility. Adorned with cowrie shells and fiber tassels, it bears a deep, warm patina from traditional ceremonial use.
1 in stock
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This elegant Chi Wara (Tyiwara) headdress, originating from the Bamana people of Mali, represents one of the most iconic forms of African sculptural art. The Chi Wara symbolizes the mythical antelope believed to have taught humanity the secrets of farming, embodying themes of fertility, agriculture, and the harmonious relationship between humans and the earth.
Carved from a single piece of hardwood, the composition features two highly stylized antelope figures—a male with tall, tapering horns and a female with shorter horns and a baby antelope on her back—mounted together on a cylindrical base. The surface is beautifully aged, showing hand-worn patina, subtle cracking, and traces of ceremonial offerings. Decorative cowrie shells and red beads are suspended from drilled holes, adding spiritual and aesthetic significance.
These headdresses were traditionally worn during agricultural festivals, danced with fiber costumes to bless the fields and ensure good harvests. The presence of natural fiber tassels bound to the horn tips and the old surface texture attest to its long ritual history.
Comparable examples are held in major museum collections, such as the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris and the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.
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Region: Mali, West Africa
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Culture: Bamana (Bambara) people
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Period: Early–Mid 20th century (circa 1920–1950)
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Material: Carved hardwood, cowrie shells, natural fibers, beads
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Dimensions: Approx. H 70 cm x W 20 cm x D 15 cm
| Condition | Restored |
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