Female mask "ngoin" ·  Cameroon Grassfields, Bamileke/Bamum · ID: 3034804

Description

wood, encrusted blackish brown patina, tribe-typical facial features, rectangular opening in the parting, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
carved with the distinct headdress of royal titled wives, symbolizing the role of women as complementary to men. The complete traditional vestment consists of a garment of blue and white royal cloth and a flywhisk. The mask dances in short contained steps appropriate to her noble image. “Ngoin” usually follows the leader mask in the dance sequence which includes several “ngoin” masks to complement the male human masks.

The object Female mask “ngoin” with the object ID 3034804 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 303 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,000.

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Comparing literature

Northern, Tamara, Expressions of Cameroon art, o. O. 1986, p. 54 f., ill. 43