Item specifics:
Culture: African – Bamana / Mali Style (Sahel Region) Type: Miniature cast bronze figure (Lost Wax Cast) Style: Abstract stylized antelope with elongated spiral horns Material: Cast bronze/brass alloy with verdigris accents, mounted on wood base Dimensions: 5 x 1.5 x 1 in (12.7 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm) – elegant vertical profile Condition: Excellent vintage condition – sharp casting definition, warm aged bronze patina with spots of natural green verdigris oxidation, securely mounted to custom display stand.
Description
A striking and elegant miniature bronze sculpture from West Africa (likely Mali), depicting a highly stylized antelope with dramatic vertical presence. This piece interprets the classic Bamana "Chiwara" form—a mythical creature that combines the qualities of the antelope, aardvark, and pangolin—into the medium of cast metal.
Created using the ancient cire perdue (lost wax) technique, where a unique mold is destroyed to reveal the metal form, this figure features incredible attention to verticality. The dominant feature is the pair of twisting, spiral horns that reach upward, symbolizing the growth of millet and the connection between the earth and the sun. The body is rendered with a ribbed, skeletal texture that adds visual weight and complexity to the slender form.
Key features:
Dramatic Spiral Horns: Exaggerated, twisting horns representing agricultural growth and vitality.
Lost Wax Casting: A one-of-a-kind casting with unique surface textures and "imperfections" of hand-work.
Openwork Body: Stylized, semi-abstract torso with ribbed details typical of Sahelian metalwork.
Aged Patina: Warm brassy gold tones contrasted by deposits of green verdigris in the crevices.
Gallery Mounted: Presented on a custom-fitted black wooden plinth that enhances its sculptural silhouette.
Symbolic Form: A metal interpretation of the famous wooden Chiwara crests used in agricultural ceremonies.
This is a sophisticated "cabinet" piece, offering the powerful abstraction of African masquerade art in a refined, miniature scale.
