Bamileke - Cameroon (No reserve price)

In the local tradition, this type of sculpted figure is associated with the Lefem secret society. The most famous sculptures in this artistic corpus are called Bangwa royal commemorative statues (often depicting a king, a queen, or a royal dignitary). Formally, the dynamic posture, the open mouth, and the rattles or gourds held in the hands share the style of the famous “Queen Bangwa”

These statues are not merely decorations; they have a highly ritual and political function. Ancestor veneration. They embody the spirit of the deceased rulers or dignitaries of the chieftaincy. Symbol of power. They materialize the temporal power, wealth, and legitimacy of the chief (Fon) within the community. Fertility rituals. Used during the ceremonies of the Lefem society, they ensure the prosperity of the kingdom and the fertility of the lands and women.