Tribal Art

Colors and chieftaincies in African art The rich production of African art among the people of the Cameroonian Grassland is illustrated mainly by traditional wood carvings: commemorative sculptures of kings, queens, princesses and titled servants, as well as the parents of twins.
This carved figure ("N'Kétuok") representing an ancestor wearing a breastplate, a cup between his legs, was first carved in wood and then wrapped in a rag cloth inlaid with imported glass beads. Complex and refined beaded decoration.
Within the important Bamileke people in western Cameroon, the Bangwa constitute a small kingdom composed of nine chiefdoms. The influence of the Bamileke on Bangwa statuary is notable for relatively comparable facial features and morphology. Typical of ...

The most African bamileke masks are face masks, unlike bamoun masks intended to be placed on the head. They are the members of the " companies Mandjong" and " Lali" who use them during their dances. Several types of masks are listed: zoomorphic masks, usually buffalo, cephalomorphic but with horns, janiform masks, masks with a tiara-like crown, and masks evoking a blower with large bulging cheeks. Some are dressed in natural hair braids, such as our copy, which displays a thick hair composed of black hair and human hair to which various greys are added: toucan skull and ossicles, all fixed on a thick canvas nailed to the contours of the mask. Black-brown satin patina on which ochre pigments remain. Desication cracks. Missing on an eyelid. Located in the border region of Nigeria, the ...

Colors and chiefdoms in African art.
This sculpted figure N'Ketuok) representing a male ancestor with stocky shapes was first carved out of wood and then wrapped in a canvas of rabane encrusted with imported glass beads. The character has a horn. One hand rests on his bulging abdomen. Beautiful polychrome harmony.
Shez the Bamiléké as in other ethnic groups, the art objects bore witness to the place of their owner in society. Thus, the materials and shapes of objects varied according to social status. King Bamiléké , also known as fon, guarantor of soil fertility and the protection of his subjects, was not considered mortal. As a result, his funeral was a joyous celebration, with the fon simply retiring physically but still watching over his people from his new home. Located ...

These long masks in fabric embroidered with pearls with very rich polychromy were worn by high-ranking members in society bamileke . The beaded embroidered fabric panels are topped with a basket-shaped tiara decorated with zoomorphic symbols with textile scantily.
, on the occasion of the funeral of some warriors, the wearer waved his ears and simulated the charge of the elephant, an animal that this mask symbolized.
In African art, the animal kingdom has a special place because of its ubiquitous physical proximity. Some animals have thus largely integrated the cosmogonies of many ethnic groups. The elephant is an obvious example of this and works that symbolize them are given royal virtues.
The Bamileke society had several initiation associations including the mwola and ...

Located in the border region of Nigeria, the northwestern province of Cameroon, the Grassland is made up of several ethnic groups: Tikar, Anyang, Widekum, Chamba, Bamoun and Bamileke. Several centralized chiefdoms, or kingdoms, based on customary associations, secret societies, are organized around the Fon which has broad powers. Among The Bamilékés of Sudano-Bantous origin as well as in other ethnic groups, the art objects attested to the place of their owner in society. The seats, whose ornamentation varied according to social status, were carved for routine use or for meetings of the Customary Societies. Each of the Cameroonian kingdoms produces an art linked to the royal prestige of the Fon consisting of regal, various weapons and cult sculptures, this treasure being kept in a box ...

Ex-German African art collection.
Couple of Bamiléké warriors at a height of 1m90.
Museum Parts.
In African art, works in Bamiléké countries are distinguished by the regular use of pearls to decorate not only their masks but also their statues.
Each statue is marked by a strong polychromy.
It thus identifies the chiefdom to which these statues are attributed.
The use of cauris is reserved only for headdresses, while thousands of beads are embroidered to draw various patterns.
Every warrior carries his weapons slung over his shoulder.
Holding a loose loincloth for running and fighting.