Vintage Hand Carved Mossi Seated Figure w/Hand Made 11in Leather Giraffe

Vintage Hand Carved Mossi Seated Figure w/Hand Made 11in Leather GiraffeH 14in x W 4 1/2inHand carved, unknown artistHand Made Leather Giraffe11in x 5inPeriod:1980-1989Materials and Techniques:Hardwood,LeatherThis lovely lady appears seated with her hands on her knees, she wears what appears to look like a dress and this entire piece is made out of hand-carved wood. A Female figure identified with the Mossi. The crested hairstyle known as gyonfo worn by the female is a main Mossi trait on this figure. Figures such as this are identified with local chiefs and clan elders during ceremonies reinforcing local political relationships and chiefly authority. They are also used at funerals and in some areas are buried with the elder. During yearly public ceremonies figures honoring ancestors will have cloths wrapped around their waists similar to cloths worn by Mossi women. This is an impressive figure and would have a prominent place in a collection.The Mossi people, the largest single ethnic