Most of us call this female headdress a Nimba, but the real spelling is D’mba. When danced in a village ceremony, a tall man puts it over his shoulders and holds it by the bottom of the front legs. The neck and head show up very high off the ground. The dancers body is completely hidden by cloth and raffia. When not being danced, it can be displayed as a spirit figure. Collectors love them, but they are so big, difficult to carve and expensive to ship that we don’t see many of them in the USA. This authentic piece was sold by Sotheby’s to a museum a few years ago for a lot of money.
The Baga people live along most of the Guinea coast in West Africa. Even though they make the most diverse group of outstanding masks in all of Africa, they were poorly understood until Frederick Lamp published Art of the Baga in 1996. If you like African masks, this is a must. A+
3 Comments
Faye Hudson
I have a D’mba mask that looks close to the one you have shown, but not sure of it’s authenticity and would like to get help with how to price it to sale and to whom possibly would be either a collector or someone of interest in the Arts.
Best regards Faye
Steven wilson
Hi please can you advise re my item my father was an antiques dealer I’ve owned it since 1994. After his passing thanks steve wilson 07761168172
Faye
Please Mr. Wilson how may I talk to you concerning the shoulder mask I have for sale. Thanks Faye