Wooden figure consisting of an intricately carved face attached to a cylindrical rod that flares into a circular concave base; cloth ties threaded through holes drilled into either side of base. Face has a long thin nose with pronounced nostrils; raised oval-shaped eyes on either side of nose, underneath semi-circular brows. Mouth is open and oval-shaped, lips done in relief; chin extends downward in a sharp point. Large curved ears, with rectangles in front of them, protrude from either side of face; ridges carved across rectangles. Raised diagonal lines are carved across cheeks. Face is painted white; diagonal lines done in blue. The figure has tall, slanted hair carved on top and back of head, with two ridges carved through it. Hair, rod and base all done in black; ties are yellow-brown.

• Narrative

  Purchased by Peter Oberlander on his frequent trips to Africa, sometime between 1958-1990. Oberlander was teaching and consulting in Ghana, and consulting for the UN in Nigeria and Kenya.

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• Type of Item figure
• Culture Bamana
• Material wood, paint, fibre
• Measurements height 30.5 cm, width 9.1 cm, depth 9.4 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, Anonymous
• Received from Anonymous

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• Made in Mali

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• Ownership Date before September 22, 2022
• Acquisition Date on September 22, 2022

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• Item Classes carvings & sculpture
• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3600/0006