African Art Fine Carved Ancestor Figure Bambara Mali - eBay, African, Cultural, Religious, Collectables. (end time 16-Dec-09 20:39:07 AEDST)

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Finely carved beautiful female ancestor figure, Bambara People, Segou Region, Mali.

Carved from Hardwood with its fine etched detail this figure is a beautiful example of the figurative carving around the Segou Region in Mali.
It was collected near Segou in 2002, is in excellent condition with a worn weathered patina. (see Pictures)
It measures 88.5 x 24 x 20cm. and shipping weight is 11kg

The artistic tradition of the Bamana is rich, filled with pottery, sculptures, beautiful bokolanfini cloth, and wrought iron figures fashioned by blacksmiths. They also have extensive masking traditions, which are used as a form of social control and community education.
The style of Bamana carving found near the town of Segou on the Niger River is characterised by convex facial profiles, paddle-like hands, and geometric incising that may refer to scarification patterns, insignia, or items of adornment.
The Bamana believe in the existence of spiritual forces which are activated by individuals, who are capable of creating an atmosphere of harmony, prosperity, and well-being. The Bamana have a very complex cosmology. Initiation takes place within the men's associations, which are more or less active depending on the village: the n'tomo, the komo that directs the life of the community; the nama, the komo that regulates morality violations; and the koré and the tyi wara, which organize young farmers. These societies, run by ancestors, act in political, economic, and medical capacity and exercise social control over the community.
In the south of the Bamana region, the dyo association welcomes men and women, but initiation is shorter and less difficult for the latter; initiation for men lasts for seven years and ends with their symbolic death and their rebirth. It terminates in great masked feasts in which the newly initiated participate, going from village to village. The initiates are divided into groups, and the sons of blacksmiths dance in the presence of statues called nyeleni - upright female figures with wide, flat shoulders, standing on small circular -bases. Their cone-shaped breasts project frontally. (K. Ezra, 1986) During the feasts of dyo and the ritual of the gwan, linked to fertility, seated figures are exhibited. Statues of a woman with a child appeared on the market in the 1950s. Kept on the shrines throughout the year, the figures were cleaned, oiled, decorated with clothing and beads, and placed in groups of from two to five pieces. Naturalistic in style, they are of larger dimensions than the majority of Bamana sculpture. The bodies are massive, sculpted in the round, with wide shoulders, the features of the face treated with a sweetness and care for detail. In the same style, representations of musicians and of lance-carrying warriors are found. These statues illustrate the qualities that the future initiates must have: beauty, knowledge, and power. Each figure is "explained" to the initiates and conveys the vital force that contributes to the cohesion of the village. (K. Ezra)

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Please note: Our collection is also for sale from our retail galleries. It may be necessary to withdraw them from Auction at any time if sold.
This item is made by hand, may be old and used. Wear and imperfections are expected. It is described to the best of our ability and any damage will be visible in the images. If you are unsure of the item condition please email for further images or detail before bidding.

For images of some more items in our collection go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalk_tribal_galleries/sets/

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Since its inception in 1989 Sidewalk Gallery has become a renowned Tribal Arts Gallery. Specialising in Antique & Traditional African Sculpture representing more than 85 separate cultures collected from 26 countries across Africa.

Ethnic jewellery and other items of adornment , both antique & contemporary, from every continent continues to astound all who enter the gallery.
The collection is spectacular.

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Item location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

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