Large Tyi Wara Vertical Crest

Tyi Wara crest, wood with light brown patina, metal ringed ornaments, representing a female antelope and her fawn carried on her back. The long, sinuous neck flares gently inward. It supports a thin, straight head engraved with geometric patterns. The twisted horns are vertical, directed towards the sky, emphasizing the idea of growth which governs all Tyi wara statuary. The crest was fixed on the heads of the dancers who roamed the fields in order to prevent danger and ward off evil spirits. Mali, Bambara, late 19th/early 20th century. Provenance: Estate of the art dealer and collector Claude de Marteau. Sold with certificate of provenance. https://www.thecdmcollection.be/ H 106 cm x L 37 cm x d 7.5 cm