A Superb Bamana Antelope Headdress, Mali

rising from a rectangular base, the aardvark with bent legs surmounted by a highly abstract armadillo with curved back surmounted by a pair of horns and ears as well as three straight protrusions; exceptionally fine dark brown patina with blackened encrustation on the entire left side.



 

Everett Rassiga, New York, by 1970
Stephen and Regina Humanitzki, New York
Pace Primitive, New York (inventory no. '53-0741')

New York, Museum of African Art, Animals in African Art: From the Familiar to the Marvelous, March 31 - December 31, 1995

Everett Rassiga Inc. (advertisement), African Arts, Autumn 1970, vol. IV, no. 1, p. 73
Dominique Zahan, Antilopes du Soleil. Arts et Rites Agraires d'Afrique Noire, Vienna, 1980, p. 63, fig. 12c and pl. 49, fig. II 4
Allen F. Roberts, Animals in African Art: From the Familiar to the Marvelous, New York, 1995, p. 156, cat. 96
Sebastian Miller, "The Elusive Chi Wara", Tribal Arts, Spring 1995, p. 81

excellent condition overall; minor losses to crusty patina on left hind leg and ear; exceptionally fine dark brown patina with blackened encrustation on the entire left side.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a figure by the same hand see Christie's, London, December 6, 1995, lot 82; for another example with similar iconography cf. Segy (1958: pl. 2).