Elephant mask - Bamileke - Cameroon

06
days
12
hours
06
minutes
51
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Dimitri André
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André

Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.

Estimate  € 200 - € 220
No bids placed

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 123609 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Elephant mask titled Máscara elefante from Cameroon of the Bamileke Kwos'i society, dating to the late 20th century, made of textiles with glass beads, 120 cm high, in good condition, from private collection.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

This mask belongs to the Kwos'si society, a warrior society that is, in a way, King Fo's general staff. Its members are the most powerful and wealthy in the Gung. Each wears a formal dress consisting of a black hood made from a local fabric called Mque, embroidered with colored glass beads forming geometric patterns, over an ensemble of a blue batik skirt and four or five skirts tied at the waist. The complete mask was part of the treasure of a lineage of chiefs and was only lent out during the ceremonies of certain 'secret societies.' Their dances are the most spectacular of all the Bamileke.

Provenance: Padres Blancos missionaries
Argiles collection

This mask belongs to the Kwos'si society, a warrior society that is, in a way, King Fo's general staff. Its members are the most powerful and wealthy in the Gung. Each wears a formal dress consisting of a black hood made from a local fabric called Mque, embroidered with colored glass beads forming geometric patterns, over an ensemble of a blue batik skirt and four or five skirts tied at the waist. The complete mask was part of the treasure of a lineage of chiefs and was only lent out during the ceremonies of certain 'secret societies.' Their dances are the most spectacular of all the Bamileke.

Provenance: Padres Blancos missionaries
Argiles collection

Details

No. of items
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Bamileke
Country of Origin
Cameroon
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Accounts, Textiles
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Elephant mask
Height
120 cm
Provenance
Private collection
SpainVerified
2
Objects sold
Private

Similar objects

For you in

African & Tribal Art