Bowl bearer ·  Cameroon Grassfields, Bamileke · ID: 3041339

Description

light wood, small remains of brown pigment, provided with the burled coiffure of a notable, the outside of the deep bowl carved with double-headed lizards in low relief, slightly dam., cracks, washing patina;
used as receptacle for kola nuts. The chewing of the bitter kola nut in Old Cameroon can be compared to our habit of chewing gum today. No man went away from his home without a supply of nuts. The kola nut is a stimulant. Claims of aphrodisiac benefits added to its popularity. Rulers kept containers lined with fresh leaves and filled with kola nuts always ready to offer guests. To break a kola nut with the ruler was regarded the height of hospitality and trust.

The object Bowl bearer with the object ID 3041339 was part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction on November 5, 2016. The object with the lot number 338 achieved a sales price of EUR 6,000 with an asking price of EUR 4,500.

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Comparing literature

Gebauer, Paul, Art of Cameroon, New York 1979, p. 201