Nimba Dmba shoulder headdress Baga, Guinea FINE Start Price USD 2,800.00 Current Price USD 2,800.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, October 04, 2008 End Time Monday, November 03, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Nimba Dmba shoulder headdress Baga, Guinea FINE' Description Title: Nimba D'mba shoulder headdress Baga, Guinea FINE Type of Object: Mask Ethnic Group: Baga Country of Origin: Guinea Materials: Wood Approximate Age: Mid 20th Century or earlier. Dimensions: Height is 42 inches Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: Age cracks in the back Additional Information: The D'mba headdress is by far the most well known Baga work of art. It is a bust of a woman on four legs, and is worn on the head with a costume of raffia and cloth. It represents an older woman who has given selflessly, and also represents community. Its use was documented as early as 1886. There are many traditional components: plaited hair, medial crest, flattened breasts, zig zag patterns, brass tacks. The Baga people, a small group of 45,000, live along the coast of Guinea.The art of the Baga of coastal Guinea revolves around nature, the harvest and the veneration of feminine beauty. All of these vital social and spiritually important elements are combined in the D'mba, or "nimba." Prescott has said:" Nimba is the joy of living; it is the promise of abundant harvest in the entire Bagata." The Nimba masks, often monumental works carried on the shoulders, rank among the largest of all ritual objects in West Africa. Their use, as hinted at above, is rather ubiquitous. They are used at funerals, harvest festivals, and at initiations. Normally these "masks" have four legs or posts(for placement on the shoulders), and feature large noses and pendulous breasts, which hang close to the body. The carving would then be provided with a colorful and elaborate costume prior to use. Our mask is quite unique, having characteristic Nimba features, but lacking the "body" that is normally present. It is a finely carved and impressive piece. The Baga moved to their current location as early as the 14thC, having fled from the Sudan along with many other groups. Their art is often quite abstract and spectacular, and is eagerly sought by collectors. See "Africa: The Art of a Continent," by Prestel. For examples and a superb essay, red Lamp's ART OF THE BAGA.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **014212** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!