Architectural element · Cameroon Grassfields · ID: 3036625
not available anymore
Provenance
Karl Tietje, Verden, Germany, working for John Holt & Co. in Kamerun and Southwest Africa (before 1920)Sotheby’s, New York, May 15, 2003, lot 111
Size
L: 87 cm
L: 34.3 inch
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, of arching form, the plank supporting two stylized leopards flanking a globular head with an oval teeth-baring mouth, a square hole at the crown, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage, cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
the leopard embodies certain attributes like speediness, survivability and aggressiveness which were transfered on the king. So he became the most important royal symbol, like an “alter ego” of the king.