Anthropomorphic dance crest "tukum" ·  Cameroon Grassfields, Upper Cross River Area, Ekoi complex, Widekum / Anyang · ID: 3048347

Description

wood, animal skin, human hair, kaolin, wickerwork, clay-like mass, arms and legs worked separately, rest.

These dance crests belong to a class of masks called “mpoh”, a term meaning “spirit”.

“Tukum” play an entertaining function in Widekum society. As such, they can appear during the funeral of an important dignitary of the “nchibe” society, but are just as likely to perform during life-cycle celebrations of odinary people. “Tukum” are also employed to celebrtate victorious wars.

The object Anthropomorphic dance crest “tukum” with the object ID 3048347 was last part of the auction 97th Auction at November 6, 2021 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 280 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,200.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 226