Pair of West African Polychrome Carved Wood Figures, Attributed to the Bamana, Mali

A pair of carved wood male and female figures attributed to the Bamana, also known as Bambara, people of Mali. Both are rendered with elongated bodies, stylized facial features, elaborate coiffures and extensive incised geometric decoration, with surviving black, ochre, reddish and green pigments. The figures retain a strong sculptural presence and substantial age-related surface character.

An old handwritten label to the underside of one figure appears to read "Bambara" and includes the date "Nov. 30, 1984" together with the number "533." Research confirms that Sotheby's New York held an Important Tribal Art sale on November 29-30, 1984, Sale 5248, with a Third Session covering lots 368-611. Lot 533 therefore falls within that exact sale sequence. The present label is strongly consistent with a reference to that Sotheby's sale, although the individual lot description for 533 has not yet been independently located or matched to this pair.