Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Baga a-Bamp Bird Headdress with Canoe

About the Item

This graceful sculpture of a long-necked bird is a headdress known as "a-Bamp," worn during ritual masquerades of Baga adolescents in Guinea. With strong themes of defiance, these masquerades were not rituals of initiation, but rather served to unite Baga youths and counterpoint the authority of community elders. Likely carved to resemble stalking waterfowl such as the Goliath heron, the bird's posture, gaze, and painted plumage exude a sense of strength and dignity. Topping the bird's head is an ornament of three petite houses upon a boat, perhaps symbolizing the youth's ambitions for the future.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 43.25 in (109.86 cm)Width: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1950
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CAA12311stDibs: LU820017853931
More From This SellerView All
  • Yoruba Four Headed Egungun Headdress
    By Yoruba People
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This wooden headdress was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Nigerian Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • African Yoruba Painted Gelede Headdress
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This painted mask was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a tradition known as Gelede. A blend of ritual and artistic spectacle, Gelede pays homage to the women of their Community, understood to possess spiritual powers capable of the benefit or the destruction of society. The Gelede masquerade is an opportunity to honor or condemn behaviors within the Community, through dance, art, satire, and poetry. Worn by veiled dancers, Gelede masks...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • Yoruba Painted Veranda Post
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Hand carved with a figurative design, this TOTEM-like wooden post was crafted by an artisan of the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria. Resembling the tall houseposts used to support the roof of a home, this shorter post would have been placed on a veranda courtyard as a symbolic and decorative element and did not bear weight. This veranda post...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Figurative Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • Wooden Ethiopian Headrest
    Located in Chicago, IL
    So as not to muss their intricate hairstyles, tribal leaders would rest their heads on these petite wooden stands. The combination of conic base and concave rest gives these function...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • African Nupe Terracotta Vessel Support, c. 1900
    By Nupe
    Located in Chicago, IL
    The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support, received detailed attention. This flaring terra cotta form would have been buried halfway in the ground, in a Nupe home, and used as a stable base for a stack of traditional round pots...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Terracotta

  • Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
    By Kuba
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects

    Materials

    Shell, Fabric

You May Also Like
  • African Tribal Yoruba Beaded Ceremonial Crown Altar Headdress
    Located in Forney, TX
    A scarce large vintage African tribal beaded ceremonial crown altar headdress, the Yoruba peoples, Nigeria, West Africa, Mid-20th Century, featuring intricate sculptural form decorated in polychrome beads and nassa sea shells, depicting central warrior figure mounted on figural horse or donkey animal, flanked by four standing figures, atop cylindrical crown, adorned with lizards and mask. Many people refer to this type of altar item...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

    Materials

    Shell, Beads

  • Early 20th Century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana 'Bambara' People, Mali
    Located in Point Richmond, CA
    Early 20th century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana (Bambara) People, Mali Chiwara headcrests represent the antelope spirit who taught the Bamana people ...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Mounted Objects

    Materials

    Wood

  • Yoruba Nigeria African Royal Beaded Headdress Crown on Lucite Stand
    Located in North Hollywood, CA
    West African hand beaded head dress crown from Yoruba, Nigeria. This artistic beautiful and functional art piece is covered with beads in turquoise, orange, green, yellow red, blue ...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

    Materials

    Metal

  • Yoruba Nigeria African Red Royal Beaded Headdress Crown on Lucite Stand
    Located in North Hollywood, CA
    West African hand beaded head dress crown from Yoruba, Nigeria. This artistic beautiful and functional art piece is covered with beads in ivory, red and black colors with faces bird...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

    Materials

    Metal

  • Pair of Massim Canoe Splash Boards from Papua, New Guinea
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    A pair of decoratively carved wood splash boards from the southeastern region of Papua, New Guinea, presented on custom stands. This pair of vintage tribal boards have been carved fr...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Mounted Objects

    Materials

    Iron

  • Bobo Bird Fish Dance Mask, ex H. Kamer, Early Mid 20th Century published
    Located in Point Richmond, CA
    An important Bobo zoomorphic mask with fish and bird elements, added color for a dramatic impact. Includes a custom metal mount to hang on the wall. Ex- Henri Kamer, NY, published a...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Tribal Art

    Materials

    Wood

Recently Viewed

View All