Zeer oud Bamileke Bronzen Herdenkingshoofd met leren voet - Kuosi Genootschap - Kameroen, Grasslands - Head - Africa (No reserve price)

Extremely large Bamileke / Bamun bronze commemorative head - Cameroon Grasslands

"Tête commemorative" or "Kuosi Society Head".

• Provenance: Grasslands region, West Cameroon. Made by the Bamileke and Bamun peoples. Virtually identical heads are also found among the neighboring Bamum / Batcham.

Given the very dark, greasy patina, the hand-scarified markings, the worn leather, and the old cotton bindings, I estimate the first half of the 20th century. This object is sold without a thermoluminescence test (TL-test). Its age and authenticity are therefore not verified.

Made with the lost-wax technique (cire perdue) in bronze.

• Function:
This was not a common statue. This type of heads represented deceased kings and dignitaries.
They were kept in the treasury of the Chief (the palace) and were only shown during ceremonies of the secret society Kwifon / Kuosi - the Regulatory Association.

The bottom is hollow and has a leather membrane ring - originally this often held a calabash or fabric lining, serving as the lid of a prestige pot or as a pipe stem for a ceremonial tobacco pipe.

The hole in the eyes and mouth is intentional - to allow tobacco smoke to pass through or to pour libations.

Identifying features in the photos that confirm:
• The characteristic tall hairstyle with a middle part and two side-tufts
• Almond-shaped eyes with pierced pupils
• The bowed, inlaid eyebrows
• The 3 vertical scarifications on the cheek (right) and diagonal on the left cheek
• The diamond patterns on the neck and base - typical Grasslands
• The leather foot with original binding.

This is NOT a Benin / Ife head from Nigeria, although it is often confused with those.

Beautiful and very expressive old commemorative head from the Bamileke / Bamun culture of the Grasslands region of Cameroon.

This type of prestige object was made in memory of deceased leaders and kept in the Chief’s treasury.

The statue was used during ceremonies of the Kuosi / Kwifon society, one of the most powerful regulatory societies.
The hollow head with pierced eyes and open mouth served as a ceremonial pipe stem or lid for a prestige container.

The head is cast in solid bronze using the lost-wax method and shows a deep, dark brown/black greasy patina from long use and handling.

Notable features are the complex braided hairstyle with a high top knot, the heavily bent eyebrows, the pronounced scarifications on the cheeks, and the broad smiling mouth with visible teeth. The neck and base are richly decorated with incised geometric motifs.

The underside features the original leather cuff, fastened with old cotton threads, a sign of great age and authenticity.

A rare and collectible object with a lot of character and a magnificent presence.

Details:

• Culture / People: Bamileke / Bamun, Cameroon Grasslands.

• Material: Bronze, leather.

• Technique: Lost-wax casting (cire perdue)

• Period: First half of the 20th century (This object is sold without a thermoluminescence test (TL-test). Its age and authenticity are therefore not verified.)

• It is a large statue for its kind, dimensions: 12.5 by 15.0 cm and the height is 29.0 cm

• The statue weighs: 2270.00 grams, also quite heavy.

• Condition:
Very good antique condition. Signs of use, dust residues in the depths. Leather foot with signs of age and small cracks, but intact and originally attached.