Baga Nimba D ' Mba Shoulder Mask Headdress African Art 35 Inch WAS $1250. 00




Item History & Price

Information:
Reference Number: Avaluer:3688274Maker: Baga Artisan - Africa
Original/Reproduction: OriginalMaterial: Wood
Original Description:
TitleBaga Nimba D'mba Shoulder Mask Headdress African Art 35 InchType of ObjectCarving, Figure, Statue, Sculpture, maskCountry of OriginGuineaPeopleBagaMaterialsWood, pigmentApproximate Age20th centuryOther DimensionsHeight: 35 Inches
Width: 12 Inches
Depth: 12 Inches
Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes a...nd cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/RepairRepaired ear Additional Information: A wonderful shoulder mask comes from the Baga people.  This example displays many traditional components such as the spherical head, the plaited hair with medial crest, a large nose and pendulous breasts which hang close to the body,  its four legs, and geometric patterns decorating the hairstyle and the breast.  
Such a mask is known as a D'mba headdress, which is by far the most well known Baga work of art. Its use was documented as early as 1886. D'mba headdress represents an older woman who has given selflessly, and also represents community. It is worn on the head with a costume of raffia and cloth.The offered mask is a powerful sculpture and work of a skilled artist. The surface and the rusting metal show indicate  much handling  and good age. Despite crack damages this example remains a delightful piece that would hold a prominent place in any collection of African Art. The Nimba masks, often monumental works carried on the shoulders, rank among the largest of all ritual objects in West Africa. Their use, as hinted at above, is rather ubiquitous. They are used at funerals, harvest festivals, and at initiations. Normally these "masks" have four legs or posts (for placement on the shoulders), The carving would then be provided with a colorful and elaborate costume prior to use.The Baga people, a small group of 45, 000, live along the coast of Guinea. The Baga moved to their current location as early as the 14thC. Their art is often quite abstract and spectacular, and is eagerly sought by collectors and revolves around nature, the harvest and the veneration of feminine beauty. All of these vital social and spiritually important elements are combined in the D'mba, or "Nimba." Prescott has said:" Nimba is the joy of living; it is the promise of abundant harvest in the entire Bagata."For comparative examples see Lamp's ART OF THE BAGA.
Recommended Reading: Kerchache's ART OF AFRICA;Lamp's ART OF THE BAGA. **128750** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
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Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51, 000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125, 000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletterGo to Africa Direct Store



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