Headdress

MOA: University of British Columbia

3420/12

Headdress or helmet carved from wood and painted. The dome-shaped helmet is painted dark red, and is decorated with a face on one side. The face has a long black nose, two white slits for eyes, arched orange-brown eyebrows, and a rectangular mouth with teeth bared. On each cheek and above the eyebrows are three marks. Two small pointed ears extend out on either side, and two larger off-white horn-like appendages extend up from behind the ears. Each horn has three horizontal lines and the tips are pierced. Standing on top centre is a small humanoid figure. On the opposite side is a blue lizard. There are holes drilled through around the rim.


  • Type of Item headdress
  • Culture Bamana
  • Material wood, paint
  • Measurements height 27.0 cm, width 21.0 cm, depth 22.5 cm (overall)

  • Previous Owner Richard Tchuemegne
  • Received from Richard Tchuemegne, Michael O'Brian Family Foundation, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget

  • Made in Mali

  • Ownership Date before February 5, 2020
  • Acquisition Date on February 5, 2020

  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3420/0012