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Dimitri André

Of a present-day Cameroon, a region of high plateaus known as the Grassfields or Grassland is home to numerous micro-states: the Bamenda area in the north, the so-called "Bamileke" kingdoms in the south, and the Bamum (Bamoun) kingdom in the east. Before the colonial era, kings commissioned the best sculptors and bronze casters from neighboring regions.
Mu'po statuettes were used for divination and therapeutic purposes by the Bamoun and Bamileke peoples. They had multiple roles: they were held by the Ku'n'gan mask wearers, hung as hunting charms, attached to warriors' belts to confuse the enemy, placed in fields to protect crops, and even carried by pregnant women. According to Pierre Harter (Arts anciens du Cameroun, 1986, p. 269), "the position of the hands can vary from one statuette to another, with each gesture symbolizing a theme. When the hands are on the collarbones or shoulders, they ward off evil spells."

Bruce Frank Collection, New York



1900-1910 - wood - Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Mupo figure - Figure - Cameroon

African & Tribal Art

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22 March

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Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Mask

Sculpture

Dance mask

Tribal textiles and clothing

Fetish figure

Tribal weaponry and shields

Ancestor figure

Painting

Carving

Book

Giclée

Statue

Vase

Shield

Figurehead

Statuette

Headrest

Dagger

Tribal musical instruments

Tribal books manuscripts and catalogues

Country of origin

DR Congo

Mali

Nigeria

Côte d'Ivoire

Congo

Cameroon

Gabon

Côte d’Ivoire

Benin

Ghana

Burkina Faso

Togo

Angola

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Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Bone

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Copper

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Patinated bronze

Iron (wrought)

Leather

Stone

Textile

Iron (cast)

Shell

Steel

Brass

Textiles

Iron

Glass

Hair

Iron (cast/wrought)

Canvas

Horn

Wood (Thunya)

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Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Excellent condition

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Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Good

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

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Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Good condition, see description

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Very good

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unboxed

Period

Mid 20th century

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2020+

1950-1960

1910-1920

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1900-1910

1850-1900

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1500-1550

2010-2020

1550-1600

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1800-1850

1750-1800

Certification

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Subject

Portrait

Style

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Technique

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African & Tribal Art

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Mupo figure - Figure - Cameroon

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