Description

The style and incised surface designs of the standing female figure at the center of this helmet suggest that it was made by a Bamana artist. Echoing those of buffalo, the framing horns fit within a visual theme that is widespread in West Africa, referencing ideas of male power, authority, and prestige. Among the Bamana and other Mande-language speakers, such helmets were called sigi kun (buffalo head) and used by hunters’ associations.

Provenance

Simon (d. 1999) and Miche (d. 2007) Escarré, Côte d'Ivoire, and La Baule, France, from the early 1950s (reportedly acquired in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire) [according to personal communication from P. Girard in curatorial file; photo documentation in curatorial file]; Miche (d. 2007) Escarré, La Baule, France; sold to Patrick Girard, Lyon, France, April 26, 2002 [personal communication from P. Girard in curatorial file]; sold to the Art Institute, 2018.

Helmet (Sigi Kun)

Bamana

Mid-19th to mid-20th century

Accession Number

245116

Medium

Wood and pigment

Dimensions

69.3 × 72.8 × 24.2 cm (27 1/4 × 28 5/8 × 9 1/2 in.)

Classification

helmet

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

African and Amerindian Curator's Discretionary Fund; through prior purchased with funds provided by of the Alsdorf Fund; through prior gift of Mrs. Ernest B. Zeisler; through prior purchased with funds provided by of the American Hospital Supply Corp.; through prior gift of the Britt Family Collection, Gwendolyn Miller and Herbert Baker; through prior purchased with funds provided by of the Alsdorf Foundation; African and Amerindian Art Purchase Fund; through prior gift of Deborah Stokes and Jeffrey Hammer in honor of Milton Gross; through prior gift of Muriel Kallis Newman; through prior bequest of Florene May Schoenborn

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Kosso walani

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Helmet Mask (Kono Kun)

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Zoomorphic Figure (Boli)

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Marionette Figure

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