Figurally carved object
Cameroon Grassfields, Bamileke
sold
EUR 1,800
Provenance
Jasper von Oertzen, Neuburg am Inn, Germany (collected in situ, 1918)Herbert Feldmeier, Passau, Germany
Manfred Zirngibl, Passau, Germany (1962)
Size
L: 219 cm
H: 14 cm
L: 86.2 inch
H: 5.5 inch
Description
wood, remains of dark brown patina, bar-shaped base, carved with five leopards, dam., missing parts, rep. in various places;
the Grassland people looked upon leopards as being dangerous, mighty animals, which were associated with power and strength. According to an old field photo (A. F. Calvert, 1917, pl. 144) objects like the present were placed on the floor in front of important chiefs while they were sitting on the throne.