Hair pin

Bobo, Burkina Faso
Late 19th century
Previous collection: Michael Oliver, New York City

Brass and bronze castings from Burkina Faso are among the best in Africa. This hairpin consists of a pair of birds beautifully conceived perched on an elongated extension that would be placed into the coiffure. The bird’s bodies have a beautiful curve from the tip of the tail to the end of the beak. The patina is aged and warm from handling. A similar but less ornate example can be found in Thomas Wheelock's book, Land of the flying masks fig. #338.

This hairpin stands 4.9 inches tall
IN 4-10-12/ SOLD